 |
| Beach House - absolutely delightful band to see live - I love them so much more now. |
Friday, January 28, 2011
City Recital Hall
you MUST put "Seeing Beach House Live" on the list of things to do before you die.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Music Monday featuring Hungry Kids of Hungary
I had been told by someone (I can't remember who it was) that this album was overrated and I shouldn't bother getting it. They were wrong, it's a wonderful album and I regret not getting it sooner.
Tracklisting...
1. Coming Around
2. Wristwatch
3. Closer Apart
4. Let You Down
5. You Ain't Always There
6. Scattered Diamonds
7. No Returns
8. Eat Your Heart Out
9. Set It Right
10. China Will Wait
11. The Vacationer
12. The Window Shopper
13. Airsick
Standout tracks for me include "You Ain't Always There" which sounds kinda old school - I get a kinda Hall & Oates vibe - it's my favourite from Escapades, "China Will Wait" which is a little more up beat but good all the same and "Coming Around" which has a Little Red/60s feel to it.
Pretty awesome album, I'd recommend buying it - it's available on iTunes too. They are a wonderful band to see live as well and they're a bunch of lovely boys too.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Clontarf
I took this photo in February 2004 in the backyard of my Dad's house in Clontarf.
It is still as beautiful as the day I took it!
It is still as beautiful as the day I took it!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Mixtape vol. 2
My second mixtape.
1. Sally Seltmann - Dream About Changing
2. Hungry Kids of Hungary - You Ain't Always There
3. Paul Dempsey - Safety in Numbness
4. Sarah Blasko - All I Want
5. Simon & Garfunkel - The Only Living Boy in New York
6. Little Red - Fool
7. MGMT - The Handshake
8. Animal Collective - Bluish
9. Frightened Rabbit - The Wrestle
10. Yeasayer - I Remember
11. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home
12. Born Ruffians - Foxes Mate For Life
13. Little Red - Forget About Your Man
14. Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You
15. The Maccabees - William Powers
16. Gypsy & The Cat - Sight of a Tear
17. Little Birdy - Six Months in a Leaky Boat
18. Washed Out - Belong
19. Fleet Foxes - He Doesn't Know Why
20. Beach House - Silver Soul
1. Sally Seltmann - Dream About Changing
2. Hungry Kids of Hungary - You Ain't Always There
3. Paul Dempsey - Safety in Numbness
4. Sarah Blasko - All I Want
5. Simon & Garfunkel - The Only Living Boy in New York
6. Little Red - Fool
7. MGMT - The Handshake
8. Animal Collective - Bluish
9. Frightened Rabbit - The Wrestle
10. Yeasayer - I Remember
11. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Home
12. Born Ruffians - Foxes Mate For Life
13. Little Red - Forget About Your Man
14. Band of Horses - No One's Gonna Love You
15. The Maccabees - William Powers
16. Gypsy & The Cat - Sight of a Tear
17. Little Birdy - Six Months in a Leaky Boat
18. Washed Out - Belong
19. Fleet Foxes - He Doesn't Know Why
20. Beach House - Silver Soul
a lot of these artists are Australian - all songs are available for purchase on iTunes though you'd have to check if you have overseas versions of iTunes because I'm not sure if they're all the same!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Bed
Bed –noun
1. 
a piece of furniture upon which or within which a person sleeps, rests, or stays when not well.
A bedroom is a place where you can unwind, rest and even simply exist. Your own little world - yours to decorate however you want. Here are a few inspirational bedrooms I have found.
 |
| Sources for all: Designspongeonline & Apartment Therapy |
And with that, I will bid you farewell and sleep soundly in my bed.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
My Country
Australia. I thought this iconic poem by Dorothea Mackellar perfectly summed up Australia.
She is beautiful but she can be furious, and furious she is at the moment. This poem might help you understand a little more about Australia, its beauty and its darkside.
This is one of the poems better known by Australians. Written by Dorothea at the age of twenty-two years while she was living in England, and missing her home country, Australia.
My Country
The love of field and coppice,
Of green and shaded lanes.
Of ordered woods and gardens
Is running in your veins,
Strong love of grey-blue distance
Brown streams and soft dim skies
I know but cannot share it,
My love is otherwise.
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror -
The wide brown land for me!
A stark white ring-barked forest
All tragic to the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains,
The hot gold hush of noon.
Green tangle of the brushes,
Where lithe lianas coil,
And orchids deck the tree-tops
And ferns the warm dark soil.
Core of my heart, my country!
Her pitiless blue sky,
When sick at heart, around us,
We see the cattle die -
But then the grey clouds gather,
And we can bless again
The drumming of an army,
The steady, soaking rain.
Core of my heart, my country!
Land of the Rainbow Gold,
For flood and fire and famine,
She pays us back threefold -
Over the thirsty paddocks,
Watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness
That thickens as we gaze.
An opal-hearted country,
A wilful, lavish land -
All you who have not loved her,
You will not understand -
Though earth holds many splendours,
Wherever I may die,
I know to what brown country
My homing thoughts will fly.
She is beautiful but she can be furious, and furious she is at the moment. This poem might help you understand a little more about Australia, its beauty and its darkside.
This is one of the poems better known by Australians. Written by Dorothea at the age of twenty-two years while she was living in England, and missing her home country, Australia.
My Country
The love of field and coppice,
Of green and shaded lanes.
Of ordered woods and gardens
Is running in your veins,
Strong love of grey-blue distance
Brown streams and soft dim skies
I know but cannot share it,
My love is otherwise.
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror -
The wide brown land for me!
A stark white ring-barked forest
All tragic to the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains,
The hot gold hush of noon.
Green tangle of the brushes,
Where lithe lianas coil,
And orchids deck the tree-tops
And ferns the warm dark soil.
Core of my heart, my country!
Her pitiless blue sky,
When sick at heart, around us,
We see the cattle die -
But then the grey clouds gather,
And we can bless again
The drumming of an army,
The steady, soaking rain.
Core of my heart, my country!
Land of the Rainbow Gold,
For flood and fire and famine,
She pays us back threefold -
Over the thirsty paddocks,
Watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness
That thickens as we gaze.
An opal-hearted country,
A wilful, lavish land -
All you who have not loved her,
You will not understand -
Though earth holds many splendours,
Wherever I may die,
I know to what brown country
My homing thoughts will fly.
Dorothea Mackellar
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Queensland Floods
Monday, January 10, 2011
Designer spotlight: Charles & Ray Eames
"Eames furniture is built on the philosophy "what works is better than what looks good", and indeed function over form is the ethos of husband and wife team Charles and Ray Eames. Their unique furniture creations had their origins in the 1940's as innovative experiments in low-cost, functional, and organic design, which included the new technique of wood molding. Today, Eames furnishings are still in the vanguard of pragmatic and ergonomic offerings, reflecting a stripped-down mentality while also conforming to the human body in groundbreaking and still-popular ways."
Eames furniture helped kick-start my passion for design. I remember my Dad mentioning Eames and I took a peek at a few of their chairs and fell in love instantly. Their chairs are aesthetically pleasing (to me) but the emphasis on functionality is what shines through the most. Although expensive, these timeless classics are worth it.
The things I'd do for an Eames Rocker are pretty outrageous. Here is some eye candy for you.
Want so bad.
Eames furniture helped kick-start my passion for design. I remember my Dad mentioning Eames and I took a peek at a few of their chairs and fell in love instantly. Their chairs are aesthetically pleasing (to me) but the emphasis on functionality is what shines through the most. Although expensive, these timeless classics are worth it.
The things I'd do for an Eames Rocker are pretty outrageous. Here is some eye candy for you.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Marimekko Fabric
I am a huge lover of Scandinavian and European design and all the little things that go with it, so it's no surprise that I adore Marimekko fabric prints.
Marimekko is a leading Finnish textile and clothing design company that was established in 1951. The company designs, manufactures and markets high-quality clothing, interior decoration textiles, bags and other accessories under the Marimekko brand, both in Finland and abroad.
Their bright prints are definitely not afraid to make a statement and their fabrics look just as good on you as they do in your home AND not only do they design fabric for clothes or the home, they have upholstery fabric for chairs and lounges, bags, accessories and even plates and glasses.
Here are some examples:
for more information about this wonderful brand, check out Marimekko and to buy online Finnstyle have a wide range of Finnish style products available for purchase! ENJOY!
Marimekko is a leading Finnish textile and clothing design company that was established in 1951. The company designs, manufactures and markets high-quality clothing, interior decoration textiles, bags and other accessories under the Marimekko brand, both in Finland and abroad.
Their bright prints are definitely not afraid to make a statement and their fabrics look just as good on you as they do in your home AND not only do they design fabric for clothes or the home, they have upholstery fabric for chairs and lounges, bags, accessories and even plates and glasses.
Here are some examples:
A little mixtape volume 1.
If you follow my other blog, you'd know that I am a huge fan of music and mixtapes. I think that creating the right mixtape for a specific occasion or season or day is just the best thing ever. I also love making little mixtapes for friends with hand made booklets and track listing - very special.
I have decided to make a mixtape to celebrate this glorious Sunday afternoon in Sydney. 31 degrees celsius? oh you shouldn't have but you did, Sydney - thank you!
Also note, all songs are available for purchase on iTunes. I'd also be interested in reading what you'd put in your lazy afternoon playlist!
I have decided to make a mixtape to celebrate this glorious Sunday afternoon in Sydney. 31 degrees celsius? oh you shouldn't have but you did, Sydney - thank you!
(this is North Curl Curl on Sydney's beautiful Northern Beaches)
- Phoenix - Love Like a Sunset Part II
- Yeasayer - Madder Red
- Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes
- Bombay Bicycle Club - Always Like This
- Fleet Foxes - Drops In The River
- Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies)
- Jonathan Boulet - You're A Animal
- Miami Horror - Sometimes
- Sparkadia - Talking Like I'm Falling Downstairs
- Gypsy & The Cat - Watching Me, Watching You
- Matt Van Schie - Journey
- Boy & Bear - Fall At Your Feet
- Feldberg - Dreamin'
- Beach House - Darling
- SoKo - I'll Kill Her
- The Jezabels - Hurt Me
- The Bravery - Tyrant
- Deerhunter - Coronado
- The National - Fake Empire
- Born Ruffians - Little Garcon
ENJOY.
Also note, all songs are available for purchase on iTunes. I'd also be interested in reading what you'd put in your lazy afternoon playlist!
Music Profile: Beach House
Beach House is an American indie rock duo formed in 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland, consisting of French-born Victoria Legrand and Baltimore native Alex Scally. Their self-titled debut, Beach House, was critically acclaimed. Their second release, Devotion, was in 2008. The band released their third studio album, Teen Dream in January 2010, also to positive critical and commercial reaction.
I stumbled upon Beach House in 2010, much to my delight. This is a band you can listen to on a lazy Sunday, driving in your car or just if you want to chill out. Legrand's incredible voice leaves you wondering if she has some kind of amazing voice changer but you realise it's just because she is so talented. I really thought at first it was a man singing I was astonished to find it was a woman!
My favourite album of theirs is their 3rd album, Teen Dream and tracks from it include Silver Soul, Used To Be and Take Care. Other notable tracks include "Darling" and "Gila" from Devotion, "Saltwater" and "Master of None" from Beach House.
These 3 albums are all available from Amazon, iTunes and JB Hi-Fi so run, don't walk to get yourself a copy of either or all of them. You will not be disappointed.
(First blurb taken from Wikipedia)
I stumbled upon Beach House in 2010, much to my delight. This is a band you can listen to on a lazy Sunday, driving in your car or just if you want to chill out. Legrand's incredible voice leaves you wondering if she has some kind of amazing voice changer but you realise it's just because she is so talented. I really thought at first it was a man singing I was astonished to find it was a woman!
My favourite album of theirs is their 3rd album, Teen Dream and tracks from it include Silver Soul, Used To Be and Take Care. Other notable tracks include "Darling" and "Gila" from Devotion, "Saltwater" and "Master of None" from Beach House.
These 3 albums are all available from Amazon, iTunes and JB Hi-Fi so run, don't walk to get yourself a copy of either or all of them. You will not be disappointed.
Devotion
Teen Dream
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Artist Profile: Rob Ryan
I have been a fan of Rob Ryan's work for a quite a few years now.
His amazing paper cut-out pieces of art are so delightful and the stories within them are so beautiful I wish I could create something as special as he does.
"Rob Ryan is a highly acclaimed contemporary artist and illustrator, his fanciful and decorative designs are a treat to the eye. His aim is to "create pictures that have a positive feeling or message."
His talented illustrations and prints have been shown across continents and created waves. His fantastic, delicate paper cuttings are creating their own coveted art form. These intricate works are either sold in papercut form or developed as limited edition screen-prints."
Incredible. Now for some evidence:
his beautiful book "This Is For You" available from Amazon
His amazing paper cut-out pieces of art are so delightful and the stories within them are so beautiful I wish I could create something as special as he does.
"Rob Ryan is a highly acclaimed contemporary artist and illustrator, his fanciful and decorative designs are a treat to the eye. His aim is to "create pictures that have a positive feeling or message."
His talented illustrations and prints have been shown across continents and created waves. His fantastic, delicate paper cuttings are creating their own coveted art form. These intricate works are either sold in papercut form or developed as limited edition screen-prints."
Incredible. Now for some evidence:
Friday, January 7, 2011
Pantone
Whenever I think about colour swatches, I think about Pantone.
"In 1963, Lawrence Herbert, Pantone's founder, created an innovative system for identifying, matching and communicating colors to solve the problems associated with producing accurate color matches in the graphic arts community. His insight that the spectrum is seen and interpreted differently by each individual led to the innovation of the PANTONE® MATCHING SYSTEM®, a book of standardized color in fan format."
They have expanded their collection into everyday items such as mugs, espresso cups, cufflinks, business card holders and even Visa cards (I should not have learnt about that).
Here are a few of my favourites:
Colour!
"In 1963, Lawrence Herbert, Pantone's founder, created an innovative system for identifying, matching and communicating colors to solve the problems associated with producing accurate color matches in the graphic arts community. His insight that the spectrum is seen and interpreted differently by each individual led to the innovation of the PANTONE® MATCHING SYSTEM®, a book of standardized color in fan format."
They have expanded their collection into everyday items such as mugs, espresso cups, cufflinks, business card holders and even Visa cards (I should not have learnt about that).
Here are a few of my favourites:
Pigeon Toe Ceramics
These sweet ceramic works of art are by a brand called Pigeon Toe Ceramics.
"Founded in Portland, Oregon in 2009, Pigeon Toe Ceramics is the brainchild of fine artist and designer Lisa Jones. With a flair for modern, Scandinavian design and a knack for the craft, Lisa and her team lovingly mold each vessel, basin and bowl with delicate strength."
I love the Scandanavian influence, especially the sparse use of colour. I just adore these little cups.
Along with the cups, they also make gorgeous little string fairy lights, vases, bowls and light fittings.
If I could get my hands on any of these, I definitely would. Delightful!
<image sources = Pigeon Toe Ceramics>
This little excerpt is taken from their website "Founded in Portland, Oregon in 2009, Pigeon Toe Ceramics is the brainchild of fine artist and designer Lisa Jones. With a flair for modern, Scandinavian design and a knack for the craft, Lisa and her team lovingly mold each vessel, basin and bowl with delicate strength."
I love the Scandanavian influence, especially the sparse use of colour. I just adore these little cups.
Along with the cups, they also make gorgeous little string fairy lights, vases, bowls and light fittings.
this new blog
Hello and welcome to my brand new blogspot blog.
I thought for a long time about where I was headed with my creativity on my Tumblr blog and decided I wanted a fresh start with all the ideas I had floating around my head.
Although I will continue to post things on that blog (I don't think I could ever close that chapter of my life), I wanted to have another domain where I could post in-depth articles about things that fascinate and attract me, things I like to listen to, things I like to look at, places I like to visit, places I want to go, things I want to do, friends I spend my time with and my life as a 20-something year old woman who lives in (and studies in) Sydney.
As an individual, I am constantly inspired by people and things I surround myself with. I create artworks in mini Moleskine diaries which I post periodically to my Flickr page and sometimes share on Tumblr.
When I was looking for a creative outlet in 2009, after exhausting all hope I ever had of being able to draw, paint or play music, I decided to think outside the square. Scouring magazines at work I stumbled across some photos which had lovely backgrounds which I initially combined to make juxtaposed collages of images. I then decided to take it a step further and decided to combine these paper collages with words, sayings, poems and lyrics that I found had a significant meaning to me into little works of art. To my surprise I got a lot of positive feedback about my work and have even been lucky enough to be featured in an online magazine.
I find it quite hard to fully express myself - to articulate my feelings into speech - I feel I would just have a cascade of things tumble out of my mouth and into the air if I actually said what was on my mind. I found that some artists and musicians had already said what I wanted to get across perfectly and by me combining them with my art, I found I could have the best creative outlet - a place I could revisit my feelings and emotions - almost like a little diary.
I hope you enjoy this little slice of me.
I thought for a long time about where I was headed with my creativity on my Tumblr blog and decided I wanted a fresh start with all the ideas I had floating around my head.
Although I will continue to post things on that blog (I don't think I could ever close that chapter of my life), I wanted to have another domain where I could post in-depth articles about things that fascinate and attract me, things I like to listen to, things I like to look at, places I like to visit, places I want to go, things I want to do, friends I spend my time with and my life as a 20-something year old woman who lives in (and studies in) Sydney.
As an individual, I am constantly inspired by people and things I surround myself with. I create artworks in mini Moleskine diaries which I post periodically to my Flickr page and sometimes share on Tumblr.
When I was looking for a creative outlet in 2009, after exhausting all hope I ever had of being able to draw, paint or play music, I decided to think outside the square. Scouring magazines at work I stumbled across some photos which had lovely backgrounds which I initially combined to make juxtaposed collages of images. I then decided to take it a step further and decided to combine these paper collages with words, sayings, poems and lyrics that I found had a significant meaning to me into little works of art. To my surprise I got a lot of positive feedback about my work and have even been lucky enough to be featured in an online magazine.
I find it quite hard to fully express myself - to articulate my feelings into speech - I feel I would just have a cascade of things tumble out of my mouth and into the air if I actually said what was on my mind. I found that some artists and musicians had already said what I wanted to get across perfectly and by me combining them with my art, I found I could have the best creative outlet - a place I could revisit my feelings and emotions - almost like a little diary.
I hope you enjoy this little slice of me.
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