Before Bedtime

It feels so restorative to sit back on this couch of ours, listen to some live Radiohead, and reflect on this week. There have been many things that have made this week sparkly after an incredibly special weekend with family (though I wish it didn't have to end), from the ones listed here to not so little things like my best friend arriving from interstate and our Christmas plans looking rad and involving family when we didn't think we'd be so lucky.

Two for one burgers. The field of dreams at Grill'd is so good.

Post-run stretches overlooking the river.

All the floating 'Santa Claus' flora. I have no idea what causes it but I love catching them, wishing, and then letting them float on.

Balderdash, the hilarious bluffing game.

Plus, the inevitable silly, breathless laughter.

Picnics and moonlight cinema*.

Playing handball in car parks**.

Fairy lights in our bedroom.

Sharing home made curry with loved ones. And that it just gets better with time.

People watching - there's so much joy to behold. Such a special time of year.

Have a truly indulgent weekend xx

*more on this, very soon!
**see previous post..

Wishing

Wishing for..

a vintage sequin dress for dancing, an Ottolenghi cookbook (if I can't get to the restaurant myself), a renewal of my Frankie subscription, candles that make our home smell like Christmas, a chic sports bra, some moonlight cinema tickets, a moleskine for lists, a baking dish to cook for friends, a rosemary bush that doubles as a giving tree, and a flame-coloured scarf that's perfect for every occasion..

   

Despite not needing anything or really wanting anything for Christmas this year (last weekend with my family is the most magical gift I can possibly think of), it's still fun and somewhat productive to figure out some needs versus wants. At the end of the day though, I just want 2012 to arrive so I can get to know it. I hate to wish days away, but I'm so excited and ready to see a new year.

Final thought:

If I could give or receive any three things they would be:

1, Lindt chocolate and unlimited 2-for-1 burger vouchers

2, a blanket and a night under the stars

3, an unexpected day off

and in their stocking (the best part..),

an afternoon of favourite games!!*

What things are you wishing for and what would you always be happy to receive?

*we played balderdash and handball all last weekend. I had the best time.

Bazaar

I adore candy canes but sweets don't really agree with my tummy. Thank the heavens that there is Peppermint to indulge in whenever I need to feed my soul.

This Sunday the talented Peppermint People are holding the Cheap Frills Christmas Bazaar in Red Hill. I'm feeling that it's just the place to find all the loveliness one could hope for at the end of the weekend. After all the craziness of the last little while, it will be joyous to fossick amongst vintage, handmade, and other goodies from fellow Brisbanites.

I plan to pop by for a couple of hours before I frolic off to Carl Craig at Bar Soma for an evening of dance and good times with some friends. This is the best time of the year. Or one of them..

More Bazaar info here..

Tickets for Carl Craig here..

I also wanted to apologise for yet another 

prolonged, unexplained, and unplanned absence.

I was unexpectedly given a lot on my plate

and it's been a bit of a whirlwind.

Needless to say, this space is getting much 

more attention in the new year.

...

Image via, from here originally

(Ra Ra Superstar is heaven on a plate!)

You.

You can never replace anyone 
because everyone 

is made of such 
beautiful, specific details.

...

Just watching Before Sunset

Such perfection.

Image via

Flawless

Everyday sweetness includes..

Sunset over the city..

..innumerable cheeses with the dearest friends..

half-asleep sleeping in..

..apple pie from "our bakery"..

runs in the evening wind with the fluffiest Gandalf cat..

..plans for the weekend, almost always..

so much laughter and innumerable hugs..

..new slushee flavours..

bittersweet, yet perfect, ideas for the future..

that sweet man. who makes me a princess all by his incredible self.

Thank you, life.

...

image via

Like Crazy

We saw this spectacular film last night. It was as incredible as I thought it would be, but even better than my imagination.

Moments of heartbreak, humour, and life told in a true, achingly beautiful way. 

It was such a pleasure to be bathed in the blue glow of Like Crazy, and just escape for a couple of hours. Now, I just want to watch it again and again.

Please go forth and enjoy it with someone you love.

Waving Flares In The Air

Saturday goodness, from the exceptional St Vincent.

I've had these fun sounds in my head all week.
You can guarantee this one's in the Summer Lemon playlist.

Have you started building your list of summer tunes yet?

Oh Lover

I've recorded my magazine love before here, but I just wanted to give a little shout out to a feature I adore in Frankie, Homebodies. This month's home is delightful beyond words, and the owners seem as lovely as their sacred space.

   

Maybe it's the church set-up, or the French touches, or the roaming chickens*, or the gardenia tree, or the sailboat in the rafters, or the bell that they're going to ring for the first time on their wedding day, but all in all this could be my dream home (or it definitely has many elements of it).

I hope your Friday is kind, and a happy weekend to you!

*this might be the key to exorcising my chicken fear..don't those hens and roosters look friendly?

...

Image via Frankie site.

 I had intended to scan the article, but I'd prefer not to compromise the copyright.

The issue is also worth buying..gin and walnut ice-cream, an adorable jumper to make,

and some incredible writing (as always).

Plus, the cover might be my all time favourite.

Comptine D'un Autre Été

Today is a hard day. Life can be hard, and scary, and unsurprisingly tough in totally surprising ways. Sometimes I feel so lost, cannot find a reason for why, and so the in-between time is completely terrifying while I hypothesise reasons for that feeling.

These lists are one of the things that help center me. They're a reminder of the importance of continuing on when things get a bit tougher than I feel like I can handle at the time. Sometimes they're the best way to stop and reflect without taking a lot of time (that I absolutely really don't have). Sometimes they're both the beginning and end of a bad day. Sometimes just re-reading them is enough. Without question, I always feel grateful and restored after.

10 Things.

1, a blue sky after a week of grey clouds.

2, Moroccan mint green tea.

3, this new Lonely Planet book. I can't wait to read it. So incredible.

4, an ice-cream date and conversations about childhood.

5, a paper crane mobile.

6, the latest Frankie.

7, interpretive dance with colleagues in work aisles.

8, counting down to holiday plans.

9, meeting a black cat in the street, with glowing yellow eyes.

10, the music of Yann Tiersen*. Plus, Amelie. Always.

...

This final week of uni is so huge. Complaints are all relative, but sometimes it's

necessary to just let it out, then. continue.

*Post title from my "theme song". So perfect.

Image via. So lovely! 

Alice'd

I just thought I'd scamper by and share some deliciousness for your Thursday. After all, it's nearly Friday and you've earnt the right to indulge a little. A bit like nutella, peanut butter, and banana toasted sandwiches, these morsels will whisk you to a number of unbelievably good places. Oh yes.

First stop, London. Sophie's blog, The Littlest Things makes me very happy and I love the snippets of her adorable life. Now, jump over to Toronto. I just found the chic, thank you, ok, and I fell for it when I saw her collection of lipsticks. Oh colour. Your final stop is Nashville, the home of Blooming Leopold. I may have spent most of my not-so-spare time here, drawn in by this beautiful and engaging creations in the last week.

Enjoy! Is there any almost-summer reading you might recommend?  

...

I'm afraid I don't know where I found this magical picnic.

It reminds me of the birthday dinner in Chocolat, 
and I would love to know its origin.

Thanks for the help!

Tuesday Edition

Happy about, grateful for, satisfied by..

1. Affogatto. All the time.

2. Wanting to exercise much more.

3. Spending last week with family, the weekend with friends, the start of the new week with my love.

4. Seeing The Never-Ending Story for the first time ever!!

5. Our calendar wish list of gigs over the next few months!

6. Reading and agreeing with the notion, "do something to work towards your dreams every day". Seemingly easy, even on the couch.

7. Deconstructed mango lassi (!!) - diced mango, greek yoghurt, and raw ironbark honey.

8. The house down the road that has gardenias growing through the fence.

9. Sky blue nail polish, white linen maxi skirts, brown accessories.

10. Planning a fundraiser for a friend's stolen synth.

...

Some notes:

I am working on that list - namely the lassi part, haha!

We are addicted to honey, but we're definitely not alone..

(so lovely, follow the link for rad joyness)

One of our dear friends had his vintage Korg stolen from

their rehearsal space a fortnight ago. This is terrible news,

and a great loss for him and the band. I'll keep you posted on

plans, but it's so sad that things like this happen. 

Here for more about it.

What is your Tuesday Edition? I'd love to hear what's bringing you

happiness, gratefulness, satisfaction.

...

Clothes pin installation image

via A Cup of Jo, via The Debonaire, via Milk

..I love this, and I love having this "virtual hanging

space" to curate my ideas and to share my inspirations.

Pixie's a Bird a day

My love for puffins goes way back to Enid Blyton's 'Adventure' series. Cute, quaint, and comical enough that I don't get fearful*, this Pixie's a Bird a day dress from Nadinoo's AW11 collection has me running to the bank with my change tin. While every collection by Nadia is full of dresses I unashamedly lust after, this gorgeous ornothology print is completely captivating. I love the English brand's use of Liberty prints and feminine shapes that have a glorious old-fashioned romance to them. Perhaps it's the sentiment that I could wear this to a ladies picnic just as easily as to a wild night of unabashed mischief - I don't doubt that Pixie is a free spirit that finds her way to anywhere she wants to go.

Ps check out their cute blog for behind-the-scenes peeks and style inspiration. I particularly loved this post on the styling for the AW11 collection - but not the part where it made me "need" more shoes!

Ooh, and Aussie girls! Nadinoo is also available from the Style Milk boutique, weee!

*after a chicken coop incident in '93, the majority of birds fill me with far too much fear.

...

Images from the Nadinoo shop. Oh yes!!

With Rain And Snow

It's been crazy weather here over the past few days. It's pretty fitting considering the sheer amount of everything that has me snowed under - uni, work, writing, life. These are definitely common themes and I'm not complaining. I am just a bit worn out, so I'm going to have an early night, recuperate a little/a lot, and then hang outwith some of my best friends tomorrow. I think there's a bad* movie in there too. I can wait, but I relish these types of delightful things. They're the sort of soul food that I need above anything material. Plus, rain gods? Your cloudy presents are more than welcome here. Thanks, Aoife. xx

...

*I kind of really adore trashy movies. They're my junky soul food.

I've watched so many while studying recently that my brain is a 

mush of movie love stories. 

Hence the picture above..do you know the source?

Primavera

I've heard a few people saying in the last couple of days how quickly the year is going. I'd somehow managed to delude myself that October wasn't really that significant, but suddenly I realise it is - but in a perfectly wonderful way. In lieu of being too serious though, I think it's time to make the most of the glorious nature of the change of seasons. It's not too long until summer now, and there's still plenty of wondrous things to look forward to.

Spring Things.

1. Buy those lime and gardenia plants. Maybe some cactii too.

2. Cook with fresh produce, using as many different colours as possible.

3. Go on night-time walks, and start running at night again.

4. Perfect the mango lassi.

5. Plan a "first beach day", perhaps the first weekend of November.

6. Mark Halloween properly.

7. Do High Tea at our place.

8. Make iced tea to have on hand (particularly honey, lemon, and ginger)

9. Go to the park to write and draw.

10. Hit up some markets we've never been to before.

What's on your list for Spring?

Recuperation Wednesday

To sustain you now, and for the next few days, 

a few tracks from the "Summer Lemon" playlist I've

been compulsively playing. Enjoy!

...

I also wanted to mention how fantastic the Surrealism exhibit at GOMA was. For those of you who live in Brisbane, did you go? For those of you who don't and probably didn't, what art and theories are you inspired by?

I love the ethos of Dada (pictured above) - that's how these songs and music in general make me feel -- it's almost like a reminder that you can always persevere to find what you're looking for in this world.

...

photo by the gorgeous @MirandaCass

Take My Breath Away

The title says it all. Is it possible to have cloud wanderlust? If we're talking in terms of dream travel destinations then that might be mine. The notion of wandering amongst cumulus nimbus clouds and frolicking in a beguilingly non-fluffy wonderland is deliriously appealing. One of the three reasons I love flying is just getting to stare at the kingdoms somehow created by dense cloud formations for hours on end.

Having that excuse to dream, dream, dream is wonderful.

...

by Lissy Elle - how extraordinary are her photos?
found via The Flowerchild Dwelling - a new favourite!

Word Association: Güiro

Despite being virtually unmusical, I love music, and I find instruments so fascinating. I've always loved the güiro: saying the word, listening to its distinctive sound, and I realised today that I play word association with it too. I love how it's incorporated in Western music, away from its Latin American roots, adding a fun element to dance music and an unexpected groove that feels textured to the ear:

Metronomy have used a güiro in this song (you'll hear it at 1:06), and while dancing on our kitchen tiles, I was imagining wearing huaraches and eating watermelon in some sort of magical forest festival. Or pretty much anything else of that colourful selection above. Does anyone else feel like word association can be the most hilarious and compelling way to learn other people's personal language? I've decided to start curating them here in terms of what I think when I hear or see things, and I'd love to hear about your inspirations too.

ps there is also a güira, from the Dominican Republic, which has a rougher sound, plus a music company (LP) have tried to bring out a hybrid of the two "güiros" called the multi-güiro with one on each side - how I love fun instruments too! ..and getting my fact glutton on. How I love facts, also. Bye now xx

...

Images, L-R, U-D!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

 

Spirited

Sometimes advertisers get it so right.

I love being reminded of how much potential there is in everything.

Ps some other genius lolly-related things:

#1, Chupa-chups:

named from the Spanish verb chupar i.e. "to suck"

and,

the wrapper was designed by Salvador Dalí..

!!

...

ad via

The Weekend

This weekend I'm going to be fighting the clock on far too many writing things - uni, work, and internship - but I'm going to make the time to stop and smell the flowers. For this I'll need a little of the above: a cute floral dress that only requires me to wear lipstick, a playful (and protective) clashing sunhat, golden wedges for daytime swish, and a random assortment of goodies for the rest of the adventures -- nourishment, caffeine, and a little reminder to work hard (and play too).

Tonight we're going to Akron/Family at GOMA for the final Surrealism up late. We're going to have a picnic on the river first, then meet up with some friends for some wine and a little dancing. I'm thinking I'll pack a sweet salad, and a savoury one, plus some yummy dips and breads.  Tomorrow afternoon I'm going to high tea with some of my favourite ladies for our version of storytime (lots of giggles and unlimited French champagne). It should be so lovely and certainly memorable.

What are your plans? Have a fabulous weekend xx

...

Clockwise top left image credits 

etsy print, etsy hat + dress,

modcloth seychelles wedges, 

blog strawberries, & blog tea

What Is Strange Is Wonderful

A snippet, or rather the actual handful, of pictures from our anniversary. We had a deluxe home breakfast, wandered into the city for the Mad Men exhibit, acquired some Nespresso pods, took an Oasis smoothie with us to GOMA, enjoyed the Surrealism exhibit and made plans for Friday night, went back to the city to read a little at Brew, were indecisive about dinner before admitting we both wanted Fantasia laksa, then went home to overload on a 1.134 kg Whitman's Sampler.  Oh yes.

We also had a smoothie and a honey, lemon, and ginger tea in there..but I forgot to take a photo.

Some other things I didn't get photos of..

- His hand falling into mine

- Giggling like crazy over most things

- The quietness you find when exploring a gallery

- A warm day and cool night

- Having him as my best friend

- Looking up at the sky throughout the day

- New playlists

- Talking and drinking tea on the couch

...

Post title is an Irish saying - I love it

Leslie.

It's here! Well, kind of, or almost as good as. Though its official release is 3rd/4th October - AU isn't actually included in that list - Feist's new album is streaming from here! Just sign on to the mailing list, follow the link, and it's all there for you. 

I've only given it one spin, so I wouldn't say I'm ready for a proper evaluation, but I did notice something pretty interesting. I pressed play, then left the computer. It was blissfully surreal to feel so excited by the new, unfamiliar sounds, but once Leslie's vocals came in it was like a sip of perfectly made tea. The timbre of her voice isn't necessarily a haunting one, it's more of a state of being that threatens supernatural qualities. To understand more of this, and her magic, I can't recommend this enough. Listening to her music is kind of like a state of being.

I will have Metals on repeat for the next little while, so as to give a proper review, while pretending to write essays, and constructing my own colouring in, of course..how much do you want it?!  

...

Metals cover via

Rainy Day

Hard work or hardly working? All I feel like doing is pretending that I'm one of those pandas, and going straight back to bed. It's a rose tea, soup, and Jane Eyre kind of day.

...

Image via smh via AFP

Recuperation Wednesday

For your Wednesday evening, how about bruschetta? The fun thing about this meal is that it isn't limited to dinner, doesn't require a stove, and can be prepared in advance (except for toasting the bread - I like to be able to taste the heated oil).

My parents have always enjoyed casual, bread and produce-based meals, and it's especially good for really hot days at the beach. You can expand the toppings - roast the tomatoes, make a few different types of pesto, purchase some ham - or just leave it at basil and tomato (interpreted as you wish). This time around, I had bought a lot of fresh vegetables from the farmers markets and wanted to make a tasty, nourishing dinner.

What we had:

Pan-fried eggplant slices with some 

dried oregano and a little extra virgin olive oil 

(remember to salt before cooking).

Fresh basil pesto, made in a blender with cashews, 

more extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.

Fresh tomato mix, basil, minced garlic, 

extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.

Rocket salad, with pear, parmesan, 

and balsamic olive oil dressing.

Pane di casa, rubbed with garlic,

sprayed with oil, and toasted. 

Extra:

Shop-bought beetroot dip,

Parmesan cheese

Some notes:

I prefer not to add parmesan when I make my pesto. For me, it is lush enough without it in the cooking (though you can see we didn't hold back with it as a finishing touch..). For the tomato mix, I have had it with red onion, but it doesn't really work for my tastebuds. For that sort of a mix, I would sub out the basil for coriander, and the olive oil for lemon juice (to make it a bit more Mexican). That is just me, and the best thing about this is the fool-proof experimentation, and enjoyment.

Nutella

 

Just lying in bed contemplating some nutella.. I'm starting to think I might be turning into some type of the above furred animal.

Available at one too many food outlets near you. Or 2 for $10, 1Kg Jars at Woolworths now.*

Edit: I just remembered one of my favourite lines from Sex and the City -- Carrie (to Aidan): "You can't be friends with a squirrel! It's just a rat with a cuter outfit!" Hehh.

...

*HELP ME!!!

Image via, original source unknown

Three

Today it is our three-year anniversary. Our epic celebration plans have been fine-tuned to a suitably rad mixture of food, coffee, and exhibitions. We had already decided to brunch, go for coffee, hit up the Surrealism exhibit at GOMA, do some park reading, then dinner (we are never this organised - the couple of times we have pre-booked anything have been pretty disastrous), however fate took a strange turn yesterday.

In a "hypothetical gift" conversation Simon asked what I'd like, and I said the new series of Game of Thrones and Mad Men. When he told me it wasn't possible, being a total goose, I told him not to bother then. It was an awesome surprise when I was doing my morning SMH reading and I read a blog post about the Icons of Style exhibit, featuring costumes from Mad Men! I'd read last month that they would be going to Melbourne so this news is doubly awesome. I adore everything about Mad Men - costumes, characterisation, plot, cast, cinematography - so this will hopefully fill the void until season five arrives.

I'll just be happy dancing in the kitchen 'til we reconvene, mmk?

Compare/Contrast

How breathtaking are these videos for the Vanessa Bruno Løv AW11/12 campaign? I first saw the shorter one version a few weeks ago on That's Chic so the second one was a great find. What a difference those two-and-a-half minutes make. My senses are ravished by the raw beauty and emotion conveyed, from the Nordic land through to the sharp, classic tailoring.

From here the initial elements are juxtaposed further by the additional urban environment, the classical music, with one of the most significant contrasts is the sense of the story. Usually I'll make this up for myself, and I'll stick with it even if I find out the actual explanation, but with this video I just get lost. I particularly love how this longer one both clarifies the collection, and mood, while adding to the mystery - especially with the interactions between Bosworth's persona(s) and the faceless man.  It also reminds me of Lykke Li's I Follow Rivers, crossed with a grown up version of Rodarte's A11 campaign with Elle Fanning, what with the modern feel and the integral use of landscape. 

Moreover, I feel incredibly inspired by how limitless the arts can be, particularly when you consider how this video (among others) marries so many differing, yet complementary elements. It's definitely a manifestation of Yann Martel's ethos:

"If we, citizens, do not support our artists, 

then we sacrifice our imagination on the altar of crude reality 

and we end up believing in nothing and having worthless dreams."

...

What do you think of it? Love it? Or something else entirely?

...

Martel quote from Life of Pi introduction

Also, I love That's Chic - gorgeous and minimalist perfection

Just Now

I'm so thrilled about this! Just two weeks until the announcement!
Even though history will undoubtedly repeat itself for an exceptional, otherworldly day,
the excitement is doubled by the fact that Laneway 2012 will fall on my birthday (!!!).


Oh happy day!


I've been stalking the act rumours here, but my fingers are crossed for:
M83
Feist
Tennis
Oh Land (love recorded here)
Bon Iver
Toro Y Moi
Zola Jesus
Battles
Tokyo Police Club
PJ Harvey (in a perfect world)
She & Him
Broken Social Scene
Emeralds 

...

I'm just far too amped for the coming months,
and I kind of love it.

Manifesto.

"He who seeks beauty will find it."

Bill Cunningham, April 2011

...

quote via Gala Darling (to be inspired, supported, and encouraged)
pic via me

What To Rent

Tonight we decided that even though we kind of wanted to go out, we'd prefer to stay in and watch a movie (with delicious food!). We were both being moody and picky about the flick, then I remembered What To Rent - the site that will help you decide on a movie based on your cinematic tastes.

There's a weird part of me that quite enjoys filling out questionnaires, so it seemed the perfect way to decide on a movie. The only problem was that in between eating a wondrous amount of Blue Castello and finding a favourable one, it took so long that Simon face-planted asleep on the couch before we could "acquire" our compromise, Pi:

I've since spent the night playing with the suggestion feed, and this thing is scarily accurate and hilarious. Based on the mix of arthouse and Kubrick films that "I might like", if you don't mind gore, you're therefore a Full Metal Jacket or Clockwork Orange kind of girl. Hahaha!

So how do you usually pick a movie? Do you use Youtube or IMDB?
Ooh, and have you seen Pi? I think we're going to watch it tomorrow..

Pitter Patter

Can I share some things that are making my heart beat fast? Girls like these constantly inspire me with their fantastic style - I love when you can tell how comfortable people are with themselves through their dressing. I love how style is as much an internal as external expression. The strength of self it can take to really be true to your individuality (and therefore taste) is a challenge at the best of times, but literally "wearing it on your sleeve" is so breathtaking. One of my favourite things about finishing high school was finally having the confidence to wear the clothes I'd always wanted to - vintage, girlie, label-free - while actually feeling happy with who I was, inside and out. Plus, I love how you can tell when someone feels fabulous in what they're wearing..to put it more aptly, you got that swagger.  

Ps, I know it's almost summer but occasionally it's still just cool enough for tights without needing a coat or scarf - joyness!

Pretty pictures via:

TickTockVintage - Veronika is stunning and fixes up op-shop clothes (truly amazing)

HomeRunBallerina - I adore her style (she's a tight addict too)

FancyFine - a visit here will make you happy and rather jelly!

Here'sLookinAtMeKid - Mandi is simply luminous

DeLune - I just stumbled across Claire's page, and it is a haven for fashion adventure and originality

I Could Sleep

With the warm, hot days that have already begun, I've been lethargic and not up to running. The consequence is mostly sleepless nights, then a few hours of sleep so deep that I find it almost impossible to get up. Last night when sleep took too long to come again, I started to make a mental list of things that were making me happy. Before long I'd rolled over, found my phone, and started tapping a text message to myself. It's silly, but I find it easy to keep track of things this way, and I send emails to myself just as often - the limited body of text I add to the latter so as not to get error messages in my sending/running out the door flurry is always very funny. After relaxing my thoughts, emptying my head, and "writing" a little, I fell straight to sleep. Fingers crossed it's not the same tonight.    

A list of terribly happy things*..

1. fruit and vegetable boxes

2. afternoons around wooden tables with friends

3. the smell of candles just after you've blown them out - smoky with a potent scent

4. a new favourite song - repeated, repeated, repeated

5. leaving windows open again

6. a book so good you read standing up

7. a lime or lemon tree for the garden

8. someone leaning their head on your shoulder

9. choosing the movie

10. making up a recipe that tastes as good as you'd imagined

I hope your day has been just what you needed.

...

Image via the wonderful and beautiful Lulu Letty - 

even if they're annoying, I covet Mr Seagull's seaside life

Post title "Is There A Ghost" - Band of Horses
* List inspiration from here - I find this blog has guided me back to
really identifying the important things 

Stargazer, Moonwalker

What I'd wear for a night under the sky's sparkly blanket..

A 60s dress - the candy shade of pink would make me feel like a Bond girl, 

especially with a bouffant up-do and winged eyeliner.

A vintage-modern necklace worn as a belt - to show respect to the night gods

A custom pair of moccasins - cosy comfort for the nomad within 

...

Ps - how about that necklace? 

Taylor from the little deer - a gorgeous blog & shop -

now runs Willow and Sioux Jewellery as well.

She says:

"I adore vintage yet love modern and natural design, 

so this is a combination of all those elements."

 Sometimes I find it hard to work the vintage jewellery

I own into my outfits but I think the dainty bohemian vibe

curated in her pieces would add that perfectly whimsical touch.

xx

Jenny Packham

Oh, Jenny Packham! Did you say that there's a ball at the magical faraway tree? And, Anne of Green Gables will be there? Wear sparkles? Really, you brought some dresses you thought might be right? How perfect they look for champagne, gelati, rose tea, and strawberries!

There are only a handful of designers whose work I could happily wear forever and always: Chloe, Miu Miu, Lover, Liberty, Nadinoo, Willow (to name a few), and Jenny Packham.

The adventures I imagine having in her magical, fairy-woven garments is a grown up page from my childhood stories. Thankfully, these design take up from where the girl put down the books. She make the type of dresses that warrant fresh flowers in my hair, zero jewellery, sensational - yet surprisingly comfortable - shoes, dewy make-up, and a quietly playful spirit. They're the type of supernaturally lovely gowns that I've coveted for those once-in-a-blue-moon nights of long ago dreams..

In essence, the SS12 collection shown at NYFW takes the beauty of SS11 one step further - ideal for an extended trip down the rabbit hole. These frocks take you down the garden path with sparkly, sheer, yet understated numbers that are proper Turkish Delight - not the chocolate-covered Cadbury kind. The sexy sweetness lingers but it's handled with flair and class. The pieces above are perfect for both girly and girlish women - light and pretty for all types of frolicking. Exactly what this woman asks for.

... 

Images via Style.com

Recuperation Wednesday

It's Wednesday, approximately almost mid-semester, rapidly approaching mid-month, and you can more than feel summer in the breath of the morning, in the softening warmth of the air. There are buckets of strawberries, two for one avocado deals, iced coffees, new flavours of Weis-cream, salad-heavy dinners, tomatoes that only require salt. There are friends at every turn, family reunions, flights to book, the sweet knowledge that every day feels like Sunday.

I thought I'd make another playlist. I'm glued to my iTunes, and every lyric has a multitude of memories that can be attached to it.

Postcards From Italy - Beirut

Across The Universe - The Beatles

Braid Of Voices - DM Stith

Belly Of June - Horse Feathers

Between Two Lungs - Florence + The Machine
Two Of Us - Aimee Mann

Remain - Jose Gonzalez
Coffee & TV - Blur

Sunny Road - Emiliana Torrini

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I apologise for the plethora of tunes-related posts,
but it's all I can think about right now.

Have a rad hump day, my pandas 

xx

Like A Jungle Drum

I'm feeling very inspired by Lauren's music memories post - I love any opportunity to make a list.

I first heard this song at a Year 12 "study night" after a friend said that I could probably relate to it a lot. I remember drinking Asti Riccadonna, writing poetry, and linking hands over the craziness, fear, and stress that defined 2006. My friendships from that year remain one of the most precious things in my life, and the memories tied to these lyrics are still reassuring.

'We Own The Sky' is one of those songs that only needs to begin to change your mood, mindset, and feelings. Taken from the album Saturdays = Youth, it reassured me when I was in Europe that my relationship with Simon had wings, regardless of distance. Introducing this band to my brother was so special too, and I loved how he described the magical atmosphere it created when he put it on for dinner parties. It remains so special that music can be shared that way.

This song was apparently a limited release track for a Wonder Years compilation - one of our family CDs, played continually, 'til we knew every single word. I loved twirling to this song, on the worn floorboards of our living room, in the hot evenings of the seemingly endless summers of my childhood. Each year I look forward to our beach house, to days between the river and sea, long evenings, the unceasing music and laughter.

This song has dominated my iPod, speakers, playlists, and mix tapes for the last three years. It makes me feel like I'm living in New York or Brooklyn, and demands me to devote my life to art. The video evokes a sense of longing I can never quite pinpoint, but since I moved in with Simon, I play it more than ever. It's like every sense of being is tangled in the web of being together, and I do long to stay together in our home for always. For this reason I can't separate this song from my romantic ideals, instead I relish the creative unity we have, and the sweetness of sharing our lives. I love that we "hold ourselves together with our arms around the stereo for hours".

Hey Jude, was my maternal Grandmother's song. My mother says that Granny Juju (her wonderful name), loved it, and though we never met, I know her through it. Plus, the breakdown is one of the most wonderful ever. It also reminds me of one my oldest, best friends. And all in all - to live joyfully, and love doing so.

Simon and I have many a song, but the ones he's introduced me to live closest to me. He showed Giver to me early on, and I remember him hugging me as we listened to it with our eyes closed. In those first weeks together, it said the things we felt but weren't yet ready to say. When I listen to it I remember that while those memories were just starting to be created, we were also in the process of building a world. 

Arcade Fire were my reason for buying tickets to the 2008 Big Day Out, and this was the song I needed to be played. The moment the piano notes began, I saw a couple in the front row look at one another, while embracing simultaneously. That look added yet another layer of meaning to this magical song. Not only is it my favourite of theirs, it's one of my favourite love songs. The raw sound brings me to tears nearly every time, plus the perfection of the lyrics; I love that Win and Régine are colleagues as well as lovers. Such an amazing team.    

This song defined Year 12 as well. How do you capture the collective imagination of stressed, wannabe poets? One, start with an awe-inspiring lyric. Two, have a Shakespearean actor (your father) quote it. Three, lulling melodica. Four, an Eternal Sunshine-esque video. Five, male-female vocalists. Six,  heartbreaking, dance party lyrics. I loved this song so much I used it as an English text, and played it daily. The OC mixes have been more than influential on the music I love so well.

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Title from Emiliana Torrini    

Hey There, Sunshine In My Heart

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Lately life has been bittersweet -- insanely busy with pockets of happy times. That's not to say that commitments, work, and study are downers, more that working hard and playing hard strike a balance all their own. Now that our Harvest tickets have arrived, I am counting down the flying weeks to Summer and beyond. Already there have been rooftop parties, trampolines,(expensive) tropical fruit breakfasts, visits from fluffy cats, planning of frolicsome outfits, naps, Mexican beverages and food, plenty of Lindt and Nutella.

I'm also contemplating tunes for the next few months. I fell in love with the song below via this video, but I'm still hungry for music that's anytime listening, would you have any suggestions? I'd love to hear what you're liking.

Have a swoon-filled Saturday

I'm sorry - I've been alliterating all evening.