Welcome to the Mother Country...

Nathan and I left sunny Perth three weeks ago now - how fast time flies - and we've been getting to know the streets of London. It's been exactly 10 years since I was last here, and I can't remember a thing. It's like I've never been here before, except I remember the black cabs and red buses, so I must have been!

It's been surprisingly sunny, so we arrived at the perfect time. We've heard that London is beautiful in the spring/summer, and I'm starting to believe it. Bring on the sunshine and warm weather I say....although it was hilarious to read a newspaper article declaring a weekend forecast of a searing 21 degrees celsius - that's winter weather in Oz!!!

My 5 favourite things about London thus far...

1. Pre-packed sandwiches - so much choice.

2. Tulips, daffodils and blossoms....everywhere!

3. The Moroccan food stand at Camden Markets - deeeelicious!

4. The Underground - aside from the dust, fumes and crowded carriages, it makes a piece of cake out of exploring London.

5. The markets - I've only been to two so far, but I can't wait to explore the rest.

8 more sleeps....

London, here we come!

Wish I wasn't so sad to be leaving home though :o(

What?????????

As part of a tag, my last post was dedicated to my beautiful darling nonna, who I was looking forward to spending some time with.

She died suddenly this morning. Massive brain haemorrage. There was nothing the doctors could do to prolong her time with us. I am in total and absolute shock, but the worst part - I didn't get to say goodbye.

Spend time with your loved ones today........PLEASE.

I've been tagged...

I've been tagged by one of my favourite bloggers, LJ of Love, Life and a Double Latte to:

* Go to the fourth folder where you keep your photographs

* Choose the fourth picture

* Explain it.

This is a photo of my beautiful nonna (grandma), taken at my parent's house on (almost) the eve of my 30th birthday. She's 82 here. We were having a family shindig, as Nathan and I were heading off to New York a couple days later to celebrate my entry into the next decade of adulthood. If I could do one thing, it would be to spend more time with my nonna. To drink endless cups of coffee with her, etching the stories of her life into my memory forever. What were her dreams? Who were her best friends when she was five, nine, 12 years old? What were her favourite things to do as a 16 year old? Life was a lot harder for her than I will ever experience in my lifetime, yet despite all this, she has remained ever elegant and loving, offering boundless generosity to anyone she meets.

Here's to you nonna - ti amo sempre.

xxxxoooo

Now it's my turn to tag the following bloggers:

New York City Daily Photo
MahaloFashion
Coco's Tea Party
Mostly Mod

I wish I was as talented as...

Kat Macleod

The intricate detail and beauty of her illustrations...

The vibrant colours....

The use of luscious fabrics...

Is it possible to envy the wardrobe of something unreal?

I am left gasping at the sheer loveliness of Kat's work.

Old School...

I've been wanting my own Polaroid camera for a while now and thanks to the inspiration of fellow bloggers who share their beautifully framed, hauntingly grained instant camera images online, I was finally pushed over the edge to get out and source one. First stop - eBay!

I won this Polaroid 636 Instant Camera today and I can't wait to get it in the mail - time to step into Wonder Years mode and start taking some old school photos.

5 things I love about Polaroid photos...

1) The subtle afternoon light that seems to swathe itself across every subject in the image.

2) Their retro sentimental feel.

3) Their ability to instantly transport me back to my childhood.

4) They make everyone smile - bring a polaroid camera out and you can see the memories flood into the mind, and surface on the faces of those old enough to remember the real instant cameras.

5) The excited anticipation of gathering around the still drying film as it morphs from a cloudy blank canvas into images of a moment captured in time.

Images of an Australian summer....

I love bouganivillea, especially the delightfully deep pink variety I photographed the other day. Wish I'd taken a closer shot. Ah well, next time.

We had dinner last night at a place called Soda along Perth's northern beaches. It was a 42 degree celsius day, so we were inclined to bathe in this icy cold water.

Sunset on the horizon of the Indian Ocean - simply magic!

Time to cleanse...

In preparation of our move to far away shores in a couple months, we're having a Garage/Yard Sale this Sunday and boy, have we collected some STUFF over the years.

I've two and four garbage bags of shoes and clothes to sell, respectively, yet my remaining wardrobe is still bursting at the hinges...although I can actually differentiate between my pieces now. I'm pretty embarassed at such waste, but it's obvious isn't it? I desperately needed each and every one of these items at time of purchase!

My new year's/new country resolution is to only buy what I really, really, really, really, really need. Although how will I resist all those markets and their nik nak offerings that await me in London? Plus I feel the need to start collecting antique tea cups and saucers, much to Nathan's dismay :o(

Must get back to covering myself in dust as I continue sorting through our much loved, but seldom used bric a brac....such a nice word for "crap" don't you think?

Happy Thursday/Friday to you wherever you may be in this world!

Fly me to the moon...

Image from Lex and the City

Second and third images from A Cup of Jo

Image from Black*Eiffel

Don't you just love these balloon images?

Being the sentimental creature that I am, they remind me of the simplicity of childhood, where fighting for the red balloon over the pink was the one and only concern of the day.

There's something so very innocent, yet romantic about balloons, particularly in these beautifully captured images.

But their most vital strength is their ability to make me smile.

Hope they make you smile too :o)

I did it, I did it....

I resisted every temptation laid before me, and refrained from eating meat the entire festive season.

Then yesterday, when I was feeling less than energetic and mighty hungry, I declared to the husband that I was NOW going to start eating meat again. The time had come.

No sooner had these words tumbled from my lips that we drove by a billboard exclaiming Go Veg, Be Green.

Well, there goes that idea... :o(

P.S Happy 2009 to you all by the way! Hope it's a year crammed with a multitude of opportunity to make your dreams reality.

Isn't he AWESOME!!!

Source: TIME Magazine

"So?" — Dick Cheney, when told that two-thirds of Americans did not support the war in Iraq, arguing that polling should not dictate the war's conduct.

So I'm at the 5 month mark of my conversion to being a seafood-eating vegetarian, and strangely, it's getting hard again. Not sure if it's the festive season get togethers where delicious aromas and delectable dishes surround me, but I feel like eating meat again.

At the same time though, when I give it due consideration and think what "meat" product I'd actually like to eat, I feel a little queasy and put off by the whole idea.

What to do? What to do?

It's getting hot in here...

I was at a friend's house the first time I saw this ad. I was sitting on her couch conversing with her and her husband, when all of a sudden I went quiet, allegedly. I then started blushing a little, allegedly.

Saw the ad again last night whilst sitting on the couch with Nathan. All of a sudden I went quiet, allegedly. I then started blushing a little, allegedly.

Come to think of it, I do recall feeling a little feverish after that first occasion. Any clues as to why would be greatly appreciated...

Today's musical treats...

Made myself a CD today, so thought I'd share some of the tunes with you. Links take you to their You Tube videos.

Time is running out - Muse....my favourite band of all time

Leave it alone - Operator Please...an awesome and fresh Australian band

Mr Brightside - The Killers...bought their new album Day & Age yesterday and looking forward to playing it on high rotation

A-Punk - Vampire Weekend...undoubtedly my favourite album of the year

I Like You So Much Better When You're Naked - Ida Maria...this song is just so much fun and makes me want to jump around screaming the lyrics

I just can't get enough...

What are we addicted to...

The clothes or the act of shopping?

Hazy days...

I just had Chinese noodles for lunch, and as expected, I now feel like I've been smacked in the head with a baseball bat.

The MSG (mono sodium glutamate) is shooting its way through my bloodstream, causing a dense cloud of haziness to wash over me. My senses have dulled and the effects are similar to that feeling you get after downing a bottle of wine.

I've known MSG doesn't agree with me for some time now, but I'd never really delved further into it, so I thought I'd do a little google search and this is some of what I found:

• MSG is a salt of the amino acid glutamate
• Too much glutamate in the body leads it to change to GABA, another amino acid
• GABA, whilst being waved about as a potential alternative to ritalin and dexies, may be addictive. It has a slightly sedative effect, which helps induce relaxation and sleep, and it affects the same receptors in the brain as valium.

No wonder I'm feeling totally out of it!

I found a really good overview of MSG here, which I think is worth a read.

But maybe you should finish eating those noodles first!

In Blue by Michael Canetti

I love this print by Michael Canetti.

Yours for £70.00 from The Real Art Co.

It's what's on the inside...

The summer sun has finally popped it's head above the clouds, so out came the denim shorts I bought a few weeks back. They were so comfortable, I know I'll be virtually living in them for the next four months.

I was even more chuffed with my purchase when I went to wash them. Turning the shorts inside out, I found this on the inner pocket....

It's the detail that makes the difference, and even though this print serves absolutely no purpose (unless I decide to wear my shorts the wrong side out), I love knowing that someone, somewhere made an effort to put it there.

NEWS FLASH...

I absolutely MUST update my blog.

Just letting you know, I know, that I know I have to.

That's all.

Off to the ballet....

I'm going to see the West Australian Ballet perform The Nutcracker tonight - have been looking so forward to it!

Just hope I can keep my eyes open....it's been a looooong and busy week.

Where the Hell is Matt?

I heard about this "Dancing Matt" guy on the radio this morning, so thought I'd check out who he was.

Please watch the video above to remind yourself just how wonderful the world and its people i.e. all of us, can be when we remember that life is meant to be fun.

I wish for a world where all its inhabitants live in peace and unity; where skin colour, religion, language, nationality and anything that has divided us in the past no longer has relevance and is no longer an excuse to pass judgement .

Because no race is better than another.

No faith is truer than another.

And no person has the right to think themselves more important than another.

We are all one and the same.

Use your mouth to smile.

Use your hands to give.

And use your heart to love.

It takes great effort to remember the above in the midst of our busy lives, but imagine what a better world it could be if we all at least tried.

Tips for ladies....

I received this email a while back, and stumbled across it again today. It still made me smile so I thought I'd share in on my blog...

1. Aspire to be Barbie - the bitch has everything.

2. If the shoe fits - buy one in every colour.

3. Take life with a pinch of salt... a wedge of lime, and a shot of tequila.

4. In need of a support group? - Cocktail hour with the girls!

5. Go on the 30 day diet. (I'm on it and so far I've lost 15 days).

6. When life gets you down - just put on your big girl panties and deal with it.

7. Let your greatest fear be that there is no PMS and this is just my personality.

8. I know I'm in my own little world, but it's ok. They know me here.

9. Lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself.

10. Don't get your knickers in a knot, it solves nothing; and makes you walk funny.

11. When life gives you lemons - turn it into lemonade, then mix it with vodka.

12. Remember every good looking , sweet, single male is someone else's ex boyfriend!

13. Now smile and send to any girl wasting time at work, suffering from a hangover, or just suffering from work that might need a reason to smile.

Feeling blue....

I simply cannot wait for warmer weather!!

Have a fabulous weekend :o)

Those sho(e)ots...

Photo Source: Just Jared

It's extremely rare that the divine Miss Bilson puts a foot wrong in the fashion stakes, but these open-toe ankle boot/shoes are just ghastly!

It looks like she's stepped into some kankles.........you know........fat ankles......you know.......ankles that aren't clearly differentiated from the knee......YOU KNOW!!!!!!

Anyway, I'd like to suggest that she wears a fat suit in her next movie role and has simply forgotten to take the feet off. That's the only way I can explain this look on her.

I'm sure millions will line up to buy a pair of these, but I won't be one of them.

I still love her though of course. She's just so darn elfin and adorable!

Jamie's Fowl Dinners...

I've decided to stop eating all meat and eggs.

Why?

Jamie Oliver's program on poultry farming aired in Australia on Wednesday night and I've never been so mortified in my life. Mortified because...

a) I eat chicken
b) I eat eggs
c) I would never in a million years have imagined that in the (chicken) egg farming process, male chicks are gassed to death in something called a dispatching chamber, within a day(s) of hatching. All those adorable little yellow fluff balls are just killed, simply because they're male, and can't lay eggs. To the industry, their lives have absolutely NO value at all.

I know this has been the reality for decades and it's naive of me to have never contemplated it before, but actually watching these innocent little creatures so desperately gasping for breath whilst being unknowingly murdered was just too much for me to handle. I just broke down in tears and vowed that eggs and chicken meat would never pass my lips again.

I mean, how could anyone kill something that looks like this?


Today is my third day as a pescetarian...I hope to continue this way for the rest of my life.

Hmmmmm........

Sienna, Sienna, Sienna, Sienna.......you're beautiful and all, but why would you parade naked with a married man who has four kids, the youngest of which is only 10 months old, when you know the world watches your every move? And I thought you were still shacked up and madly in love with Rhys Ifans. How quickly you move!

And Balthazar..........you should be thanking the powers that be for the resurrection of your career, and helping your wife look after your kids instead of prancing about with a slapper who gets naked any chance she gets.

I feel sorry for his wife and just don't understand why people have to be so heartless. Don't they learn how to express discretion in acting school?

Welcome princess Samarah...

One of my dearest friends had her first baby yesterday, and I get to meet her today - YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!

Little Samarah was born on her actual due date, which is the funniest thing in the world, as her mum is never on time for anything!

The world works in mysterious ways :o)

Congratulations Shelly & Sacha and a warm welcome to your exquisite bundle of joy.

Today's whinge(s)...

Whinge #1

I'm the first to admit I'm a coffee snob. Why else would I have just spent $11.80 on a short macchiato? Well, I didn't exactly pay that much for one coffee, but rather for three....in as many minutes...as I went in search of one that was palatable. Unfortunately they were ALL bitter as hell, so I am utterly dissatisfied and peeved that I wasted almost $12!!

Seriously, a good short mac is enough to send me into a child-like state, where I twirl with glee. It can make or break my mood - a sure sign that I'm an addict. I travel an extra 20 minutes to work twice a week just so the route I take bypasses a cafe that makes me a perfect short mac with half a sugar every time. I can feel the peace and tranquility come over me each morning as I take my first sip of the creamy liquid heaven . Unlike this morning, where my three attempts at scoring the perfect hit saw my face screw up with more creases than an unironed linen suit. And to top it off, I spilt half a cup of the bitter brew all over the gearstick in my car! Simply sensational!

The husband thinks it's a sign I should quit, but I like to ignore his suggestion. As a non-coffee drinker, what would he know, right?

Whinge #2

On another note, we have a council junk collection this week - it's our annual opportunity to stick all our unwanted crap on our verge for the council to collect and dump elsewhere. Anyway, I had just put the first few items on the verge, including husband's old and rusted bike, when a car with a trailer pulled up. A man emerged and started rummaging through the crap, only stopping when the bike seat caught his eye.

He proceeded to twist and pull at the bike seat with all his might, continuing even as I approached with more of our junk. And this is where my beef lies - I'm a supporter of recycling, and I'm glad this guy was offering the bike seat a new home, but I just think it's courteous to ask if you can take someone's rubbish when the rubbish owner is standing right in front of you, instead of just huffing and puffing away like a looter gone wild for goodness sake! It's not like I would've said "No, you can't have it."!!!

Maybe if I'd had a good coffee this morning, I wouldn't be so grumpy :o(

Aaaah well, good luck to him and his "new" bike seat. May they find eternal happiness.

This is very, very, very funny...

What? No shopping?

I was in Sydney last week for work and what a whirlwind trip it was. And you know how I know that it was?

I was in Sydney for 3 and a haf days during SALE SEASON and I didn't even go into one shop!!! Sacrilege I know, and I'm still trying to get over it by repeating the "I saved lots of money" mantra each morning, noon and night. It hasn't worked yet and I'm still kind of teary over the missed opportunities.....but I'm strong, so I'll recover :oD

My Dream #1

I had a dream I was pregnant and going into labour. But instead of going to the hospital, I went into a kitchen and Gordon Ramsay was looking after me. Hmmmm....not sure what that was all about. I don't even think he was a doctor. He was just, well, Gordon Ramsay...the chef. I love food and all, but I don't think eating a delicious meal would be high on the agenda during childbirth, even if it WAS cooked by Chef!

My Dream # 2

I was sitting behind Adam Levine (from Maroon 5) on a bus and randomly started massaging his scalp. WHY???? I have ABSOLUTELY no idea!!

I lead such an exciting life don't I? In my dreams maybe.

BTW - Bob Marley's Is This Love is streaming out of the Backpacker's Hostel next door to me right now. Sighhhhh.....wish I was lying poolside at a Four Seasons resort somewhere in the tropics, basking in the warm and brilliant sunshine, eating fresh pineapple and breathing in the clean ocean air.

Miss Goody-Two-Shoes...

I've been slack with adding a new post the past week and a bit because every time I tried, I was mesmerised by George and wanted him to be the first thing I saw each time I visited my blog :o)

But alas, I came across something interesting in today's West Australian newspaper, and thought I'd share it with you all. So what's so interesting? Well it's the origin of the phrase "Goody-Two-Shoes".

Not that it's a phrase I use, but it's one that's been used for a long time, since 1765 actually...so for anyone who's interested, here's the story behind it.

Goody-two-shoes is taken from a children's story, created in 1765 by Oliver Goldsmith.

The original title of the story?

The History of Little Goody Two-Shoes, otherwise called Mrs Marjorie Twoshoes, with the Means by Which She Acquired Her Learning and Wisdom, and in Consequence Therof Her Estate; Set Forth At Large for the Benefit of Those Who From a State of Rags and Care and Having Shoes But Half a pair; Their Fortune and Their Fame Would Fix, and Gallop in a Coach and Six.

SERIOUSLY!!! Imagine trying to market a book with that title!

Anyway, the story's main character is a poor child who only owns one shoe, but for being good, she was given a pair of new shoes. Her joy knew no bounds and she proudly showed them off to all and sundry, telling everyone she had "two shoes". In time, she acquired knowledge and became very wealthy...in other words she became smug.

So, that's how "good but smug" people came to be refered to as "a little goody-two-shoes".

Photos of the story weren't very exciting, so I thought I'd post this one instead:







Hey! It's my blog so I can :oD

The Bachelor...

Yes ladies....Mr Clooney is a single man once again.

Not sure why this information excites me, but it does.

He's just so DAMN handsome!

TV Dinners...

I recently discovered that I can't eat if there are animals on TV.

You know those nature documentaries where they show hyenas in their natural environs preying for their supper; zoomed in images of marsupials giving birth to their babies, or lions ripping chunks out of fresh carcasses?

If I'm sitting in front of the TV and eating my dinner, I just can't handle it.

Is that weird?