Tina Fey - current favourite - looking very cute in this spring-y dress.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Lemony Snicketts
One last thing.
Tina Fey - current favourite - looking very cute in this spring-y dress.
Tina Fey - current favourite - looking very cute in this spring-y dress.
Snippets
Because I'm studying, I won't be blogging for the week. So adieu for a while, peops.
It is Earth Day, so best go organic, walk/ride a bike, turn off lights, be saintly and bask in the glow of your earthiness.
"I will not even look at you if you are wearing UGGS, even if you're Beyonce!" - Justin Bieber (ummm... who doesn't love that ridiculously catchy song of his - even if he is in creche)
Bombshell Christina Hendricks smokes it all up for this month's Esquire magazine. Hawt.
It is Earth Day, so best go organic, walk/ride a bike, turn off lights, be saintly and bask in the glow of your earthiness.
"I will not even look at you if you are wearing UGGS, even if you're Beyonce!" - Justin Bieber (ummm... who doesn't love that ridiculously catchy song of his - even if he is in creche)
Bombshell Christina Hendricks smokes it all up for this month's Esquire magazine. Hawt.
Happy Friday: Study
I'm heading off home to the parentals for study time. Study time makes my head do all sorts of crazy, paranoid backflips. Can't wait for it to be over ... And of course to get a good grade. It's really all I can think about right now.
The Enforced Chill Pill
Remember Imitation of Christ? Headed up by Tara Subkoff - Chloe Sevigny at one point became creative director - Scarlett Johansson walked the runway in Imitation of Christ denim - etc ..? Vaguely, no? A little like a one-hit wonder, the name trips a switch in your brain. That's about it.
Tara Subkoff was at the helm of the brand, however in American Harpers she explains that "there was a massive amount of confusion about its original incarnation. The name got so big, and it appeared to be such a giant success, but like most things that are artistic and creative and amazing, it was never this financial powerhouse. It was an art project. It was rewarding to spearhead ... but I had to work about four or five other jobs — a shoe collaboration with Easy Spirit and consulting for Sara Lee Apparel (which owned Wonderbra, Hanes, and Playtex) — just to keep the company afloat."
Bet Chloe didn't know that!
Imitation of Christ was sold to Josh Sparks, former Sass & Bide CEO a few years ago. Last year, Subkoff was told she needed surgery on a benign brain tumour. She had no health insurance. So her fashiony/arty friends rallied around her to raise some cash which didn't result in the bucketloads of $$ you would probably be hoping for... But she had the surgery in September and was nursed back to health by her brother. Now she's planning to bring back Imitation of Christ in its "most basic incarnation": "I want something as effortless as a T-shirt, but in dress, trench, and jacket shapes".
These days she lives in an LA bungalow with a big garden and her two puppies ("they've helped me heal and forced me to get outside every day and see the sunshine") and says the process of rehabilitation has forced her to slow down and stop living at such a crazy pace: "I have projects coming up, and I now have the energy and desire to get back to work, but it won't ever be like that again. I feel lucky and excited as each new thing unfolds... Life is so fast, it feels important to stop and freeze and appreciate the now. Even if the now is being stuck in hideous traffic with a flat tire, I bet if you look there's a doughnut shop across the street. So just before I lose control, I take a breath and try to remember that there's always something sweet just around the corner."
I wonder if Gwyneth is listening?
The point of this article was actually just to say - gorgeous kitchen! And I want her puppies! Adorable!
Tara Subkoff was at the helm of the brand, however in American Harpers she explains that "there was a massive amount of confusion about its original incarnation. The name got so big, and it appeared to be such a giant success, but like most things that are artistic and creative and amazing, it was never this financial powerhouse. It was an art project. It was rewarding to spearhead ... but I had to work about four or five other jobs — a shoe collaboration with Easy Spirit and consulting for Sara Lee Apparel (which owned Wonderbra, Hanes, and Playtex) — just to keep the company afloat."
Bet Chloe didn't know that!
Imitation of Christ was sold to Josh Sparks, former Sass & Bide CEO a few years ago. Last year, Subkoff was told she needed surgery on a benign brain tumour. She had no health insurance. So her fashiony/arty friends rallied around her to raise some cash which didn't result in the bucketloads of $$ you would probably be hoping for... But she had the surgery in September and was nursed back to health by her brother. Now she's planning to bring back Imitation of Christ in its "most basic incarnation": "I want something as effortless as a T-shirt, but in dress, trench, and jacket shapes".
These days she lives in an LA bungalow with a big garden and her two puppies ("they've helped me heal and forced me to get outside every day and see the sunshine") and says the process of rehabilitation has forced her to slow down and stop living at such a crazy pace: "I have projects coming up, and I now have the energy and desire to get back to work, but it won't ever be like that again. I feel lucky and excited as each new thing unfolds... Life is so fast, it feels important to stop and freeze and appreciate the now. Even if the now is being stuck in hideous traffic with a flat tire, I bet if you look there's a doughnut shop across the street. So just before I lose control, I take a breath and try to remember that there's always something sweet just around the corner."
I wonder if Gwyneth is listening?
The point of this article was actually just to say - gorgeous kitchen! And I want her puppies! Adorable!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
H&M Does Summer
Not the remotest bit bitter about the fact that those in the northern hemisphere get to start the ritualistic shaving, waxing, fake tanning etc in preparation for summer and bikinis. Not at all. *Fingers crossed behind back* Happy summer. I wish I was there!
H&M has a most illustrious cast of models for their 2010 swimwear campaign: Erin Wasson, Julia Stegner, Daria Werbowy, Lara Stone, and Sasha Pivovarova.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
All The Lovers
I love how Kylie Minogue frequently reinvents not only herself, but her sound. Here's a teaser from her new single All The Lovers, due to be released on 28 June, taken from her 11th album, Aphrodite. Sounding distinctly electro disco in this one.
Of the track, she said: "The single was one of the last tracks to be written for the album. As I was recording it I knew that ‘All The Lovers’ had to be the first single; it sums up the euphoria of the album perfectly. It gives me goose-bumps, so I’m really excited to hear what everyone thinks of it.”
Here's the cover art:
Aphrodite is slated for release on 5 July - all Greek goddess and draped goodness. Fun! For more go to the Kylie website.
Of the track, she said: "The single was one of the last tracks to be written for the album. As I was recording it I knew that ‘All The Lovers’ had to be the first single; it sums up the euphoria of the album perfectly. It gives me goose-bumps, so I’m really excited to hear what everyone thinks of it.”
Here's the cover art:
Aphrodite is slated for release on 5 July - all Greek goddess and draped goodness. Fun! For more go to the Kylie website.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Winter With Camilla + Marc
It's inevitable. The mornings are darker when my trusty old Hello Kitty alarm clock starts sparking out Fran Kelly and the latest from the international newsroom (the nerd in me adores waking up to current international law topics - for fun, you can count the number of times they say "the UN response": bliss); you need a jacket in the evenings; and instant porridge is clamouring for space on the supermarket shelves. Hello, Winter (Seinfeld's "Hello, Newman" voice).
Camilla + Marc have some pretty things for winter. I am pleased to report that I have a lovely Hong Konese version of the black dress pictured in the middle. It will be out in force with black opaques and black booties this winter.
Camilla + Marc have some pretty things for winter. I am pleased to report that I have a lovely Hong Konese version of the black dress pictured in the middle. It will be out in force with black opaques and black booties this winter.
More Wedding Belles
Two at once, to each other.
Ruby Rose and Catherine McNeil are set to tie the knot. (Choice of venues limited, I imagine). Of course, when any newspaper discusses a celebrity pairing, full attention is on the size of the baguette. In this case, huge, apparently. It must be love.
Ruby Rose and Catherine McNeil are set to tie the knot. (Choice of venues limited, I imagine). Of course, when any newspaper discusses a celebrity pairing, full attention is on the size of the baguette. In this case, huge, apparently. It must be love.
Tea for Two
“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”
-Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady
Some of the happiest moments of my life came from the hours I spent poring over my mum's Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake book. The book contained distinctly boyish cakes - the soccer field, the ghost with the eggshell eyes - and distinctly girl cakes (i.e. the flower basket, the candy shop etc). It was awesome. Even though by the time I turned 10 I had flipped through the book a hundred times, each new cake page after page was a revelation.
The Australian Women's Weekly is one of my favourite publishers of cookbook/magazine-y type things. As I am on a health kick currently (despite still trying to finish off my Easter eggs), I am heavily ensconced with the Ultimate Low-Fat Cookbook. I must admit, as with most things low-fat, the pictures are more nourishing than the recipes. (I lie, some of the meals are delicious, but they are (a) an effort; and (b) still require beefing up with Easter eggs later).
The latest offering from AWW is High Tea. God. This looks fabulous. This is likely to be a late birthday present to myself. Post-study, naturally, as cooking is one of my favourite procrastination activities.
I also must admit that I adore the pictures. As I discovered after I purchased the AWW Kitchen recipe omnibus, I'm unlikely to cook anything that isn't accompanied by a picture.
Cooking is also one of my beloved activities to do for others. Feeding other people with delightful tidbits is so satisfying. If I cook for you, it means I love you.
-Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady
Some of the happiest moments of my life came from the hours I spent poring over my mum's Australian Women's Weekly Children's Birthday Cake book. The book contained distinctly boyish cakes - the soccer field, the ghost with the eggshell eyes - and distinctly girl cakes (i.e. the flower basket, the candy shop etc). It was awesome. Even though by the time I turned 10 I had flipped through the book a hundred times, each new cake page after page was a revelation.
The Australian Women's Weekly is one of my favourite publishers of cookbook/magazine-y type things. As I am on a health kick currently (despite still trying to finish off my Easter eggs), I am heavily ensconced with the Ultimate Low-Fat Cookbook. I must admit, as with most things low-fat, the pictures are more nourishing than the recipes. (I lie, some of the meals are delicious, but they are (a) an effort; and (b) still require beefing up with Easter eggs later).
The latest offering from AWW is High Tea. God. This looks fabulous. This is likely to be a late birthday present to myself. Post-study, naturally, as cooking is one of my favourite procrastination activities.
I also must admit that I adore the pictures. As I discovered after I purchased the AWW Kitchen recipe omnibus, I'm unlikely to cook anything that isn't accompanied by a picture.
Cooking is also one of my beloved activities to do for others. Feeding other people with delightful tidbits is so satisfying. If I cook for you, it means I love you.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Perfectionist
Gwyneth Paltrow talks to UK Vogue about being a perfectionist, and the post-natal depression she suffered after the birth of her second tot, Moses.
Here's some of what she said:
Gwyneth, by her own admission, likes to do things "right". She is also a raging perfectionist. "It's why I'm not a great delegator. Sometimes I think I'm going to have to check myself into a mental asylum, it gets so bad," she shrugs only half-jokingly. "It's my worst quality, and I hate myself for it. It's like, what's wrong with you? Relax! Sometimes I feel like the psycho in Sleeping With the Enemy. Remember that film, when she's got to line up all the apricot chutneys just so? I think I'm scared of something, like there's something I need to figure out. I think I need to ask Goop about perfectionism, or go back to the shrink and figure out what's going on with that. I had a great therapist in New York, whom I still talk to. I don't yet have a great one here..."
That bad, huh? Is that why she's so very good at playing depressed? (Think Sylvia, Proof.) "Well, I just found out my grandmother's mother was a manic depressive," she says. "Apparently, she couldn't get out of bed, she couldn't feed the children. Well, I totally recognise that." Gwyneth is talking of her bout with post-natal depression after giving birth to Moses in 2006. It was a very different experience to when she had Apple, when she spent the first blissful one-and-a-half years of the baby's life virtually nannyless because she took to motherhood. "At my lowest, I was a robot. I just didn't feel anything. I had no maternal feelings for him – it was awful. I had no thoughts of harming him, thank God, but I couldn't connect, and still, when I look at pictures of him at three months old, I don't remember that time.
"My problem was that I never acknowledged anything was wrong. You know when before you get your period and you're about to kill? It's only after you get through it that you go, 'Aha, that's what it was.' Well, that's what it was like. I didn't put two and two together. I just carried on as normal, and I just felt crazy. It was Chris, actually, who said out loud that something was wrong. And that was such a relief when he did, because it was confirmation that it wasn't just me.
That was the beginning. That was when I cracked it – I started exercising and I started thinking about working again. That's my problem though.
Sometimes I have a hard time saying what I need to say. I'll be annoyed, I'll stew, I'll build a wall around me and give off the silent treatment – and I know that's not healthy. Passive aggression, see? Slowly, I'm getting better, but I don't think I've found that voice yet, to say how I really feel."
Do you ever get like that? I sure do. And I really wish I knew how to stop it - self-awareness can take you only so far, sometimes. Goop? (The apricot chutney thing is kinda weird though...) ;o)
Here's some of what she said:
Gwyneth, by her own admission, likes to do things "right". She is also a raging perfectionist. "It's why I'm not a great delegator. Sometimes I think I'm going to have to check myself into a mental asylum, it gets so bad," she shrugs only half-jokingly. "It's my worst quality, and I hate myself for it. It's like, what's wrong with you? Relax! Sometimes I feel like the psycho in Sleeping With the Enemy. Remember that film, when she's got to line up all the apricot chutneys just so? I think I'm scared of something, like there's something I need to figure out. I think I need to ask Goop about perfectionism, or go back to the shrink and figure out what's going on with that. I had a great therapist in New York, whom I still talk to. I don't yet have a great one here..."
That bad, huh? Is that why she's so very good at playing depressed? (Think Sylvia, Proof.) "Well, I just found out my grandmother's mother was a manic depressive," she says. "Apparently, she couldn't get out of bed, she couldn't feed the children. Well, I totally recognise that." Gwyneth is talking of her bout with post-natal depression after giving birth to Moses in 2006. It was a very different experience to when she had Apple, when she spent the first blissful one-and-a-half years of the baby's life virtually nannyless because she took to motherhood. "At my lowest, I was a robot. I just didn't feel anything. I had no maternal feelings for him – it was awful. I had no thoughts of harming him, thank God, but I couldn't connect, and still, when I look at pictures of him at three months old, I don't remember that time.
"My problem was that I never acknowledged anything was wrong. You know when before you get your period and you're about to kill? It's only after you get through it that you go, 'Aha, that's what it was.' Well, that's what it was like. I didn't put two and two together. I just carried on as normal, and I just felt crazy. It was Chris, actually, who said out loud that something was wrong. And that was such a relief when he did, because it was confirmation that it wasn't just me.
That was the beginning. That was when I cracked it – I started exercising and I started thinking about working again. That's my problem though.
Sometimes I have a hard time saying what I need to say. I'll be annoyed, I'll stew, I'll build a wall around me and give off the silent treatment – and I know that's not healthy. Passive aggression, see? Slowly, I'm getting better, but I don't think I've found that voice yet, to say how I really feel."
Do you ever get like that? I sure do. And I really wish I knew how to stop it - self-awareness can take you only so far, sometimes. Goop? (The apricot chutney thing is kinda weird though...) ;o)
Guest Editor: 20 Easy Ways to Be Happier
I swiped this from Divine Caroline (my comments are italicised). Check out the below and see how many you do - unconscious things you do to make you happier!
Stop that house of cards crashing down... Be happy!
1. Make Your Bed Every Morning
I’ve heard this one before, and not just from my mother. For most people, outer order leads to inner calm. And making your bed is one quick, easy way to get some semblance of a tidy room (even when your closet is anything but.) (True that - I am an obsessive bed-maker! It plays on my mind all day if it's not made... Anally retentive; or happy? Hmmm....).
2. Shorten Your Commute
Okay, this one may not be a cinch. But if there’s any way you can shorten your commute, it’s certainly worth the effort. Spending two hours a day in gridlock traffic is enough to drive even the most Zen commuter up the wall. Not only is the drive itself infuriating, a long commute eats up time that could be spent on proven happiness boosters, like sleeping or interacting with other people.
3. Find a Rocking Chair
You know it works for babies. Now it seems that rockers bring similar comfort to elderly sufferers of dementia. Researchers at the University of Rochester encouraged twenty-five residents to rock as much as they like and they became less upset and anxious and required less pain medication. Who’s to say it couldn’t work for you?
4. Make Lists
Writing it down (whatever “it” may be. is a successful tool for managing stress. Just make sure your list doesn’t get out of control. After all, your list is supposed to help with your stress, not add to it. Remember that you can always adjust your priorities. (Oh God. Who does not love a good list! And when you draw a line through something? Bliss).
5. Paint Your Toenails … Even in the Winter
In the winter months, it’s easy to ignore your feet until they morph into a Shrek-like monstrosity. Who’s going to see them anyway, right? Wrong. You are! (And the person you share a bed with) So give them a soak, a scrub, a bit of moisture, and a dash of color. You’ll feel better instantly.
6. Wake up the Right Way
Are you coffee lover? Wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee by investing in a percolator with a programmable timer. Tired of waking up to the shriek of a buzzer or the irritating voice of the talk radio host? Get yourself an alarm clock that wakes you up with natural light and sounds.
7. Talk About Something New
People tend to get stuck on the same old topics of conversation. Stimulate your mind and encourage others, too, by finding one little interesting tidbit a day and starting a conversation by saying, “Did you hear about _________? What do you think?”
8. Refuse to Give Advice
The easiest way to get sucked down the negative spiral is by participating. Do your friends a favor: when they start unloading their problems on you, let them figure it out on their own. The reverse is also true—don’t bore your friends with your problems. Focus on fun! (Currently being in study mode, focusing on fun is an effort - which I should make more of!)
9. Rearrange Your Furniture
It may sound silly, but even the tiniest shift of a kitchen table or couch can make all the difference. It’ll make the room—and you!—feel new again. And the best part? It doesn’t cost a thing. (Tip: If you need to move a large item on your own, stick a dish towel under each leg and push; or if you’ve got carpet, use furniture sliders.) (I did this yesterday - who would have thought procrastinating to the extreme could also be a happiness activity?)
10. Smile on the Outside
Even when you’ve got nothing to smile about. Forcing a smile can trick your body into changing your mood. You’ll also find that other people will react better to you when you’ve got a smile on your face. Voilà ! You’ve just created a snowball effect of fuzzy feelings.
11. Gaze at a Photograph
If the photograph is of a loved one, it can stimulate blood supply to the brain, says researcher Andreas Bartels from University of London. Imagine them giving you a hug.
12. Get Informed
Stuck on a problem that just won’t go away? Try Googling it. Reading up on how other people have handled your situation may give you some clues on how to tackle it yourself.
13. Turn off the TV
Happy people don’t watch TV. Instead, they socialize, which brings them more long-term satisfaction. We’re not saying to skip your favorite shows altogether. But if the choice is between watching something just because it’s on, and grabbing a friend for a last minute dinner date … well … you know what to do. Delicious and good for you! (They clearly haven't heard of True Blood. I joke. But True Blood is my current obsession... But I don't watch TV - miss so much advertising because of it).
14. Eat Avocados
Avocados are good for your skin, your hair, and—more importantly—your heart. But did you know they’re also good for your mood? They’ve got monounsaturated fats and tryptophan, which boosts feel-good chemical endorphins in the brain.
15. Sing or Hum a Tune
Listening to music can make you feel good, but singing or humming your own tune is even better! Try making up the words to one of your favorite songs, and sing it out loud. Even if your cat is the only one who appreciates it, you’ll feel good about it.
16. Break the Rules
Here’s a little known confidence booster: when you follow your own path, (especially when you go against the grain. it’s incredibly intoxicating. We’re not advocating anything illegal, just saying that you should do exactly what you want sometimes and not what you think you should be doing.
17. Invigorate Your Senses
A quick spray of lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, or lemon can clear your head quicker than you think. For an extra-calming treat, take a nap on a pillow scented with lavender—either in fabric spray form, or crumble some of the plant itself and put it in your pillowcase.
18. Visit a Quiet Place
Libraries, museums, gardens, and other quiet places can give you a break from the frantic pace of everyday life. Find a secret spot and make it your sanctuary, whether it’s in your backyard or the Reference section. (And don't check your email/Facebook/Four Square).
19. Forgive Someone
Research shows that those who are able to forgive are less stressed, less angry, and more optimistic than those who aren’t. So, if you’re holding onto old grudges for the sake of it, it might just be time to let go.
20. Spend More Time with Your Happy Friends
Misery loves company. Too often, we find ourselves surrounded by soul-crushing negativity. The good news? Happiness really is contagious. Research shows that happiness, even when removed by three degrees, can make you happier than an extra $5000. Focus on spending time with the optimistic people in your life and you might just become one of them.
Stop that house of cards crashing down... Be happy!1. Make Your Bed Every Morning
I’ve heard this one before, and not just from my mother. For most people, outer order leads to inner calm. And making your bed is one quick, easy way to get some semblance of a tidy room (even when your closet is anything but.) (True that - I am an obsessive bed-maker! It plays on my mind all day if it's not made... Anally retentive; or happy? Hmmm....).
2. Shorten Your Commute
Okay, this one may not be a cinch. But if there’s any way you can shorten your commute, it’s certainly worth the effort. Spending two hours a day in gridlock traffic is enough to drive even the most Zen commuter up the wall. Not only is the drive itself infuriating, a long commute eats up time that could be spent on proven happiness boosters, like sleeping or interacting with other people.
3. Find a Rocking Chair
You know it works for babies. Now it seems that rockers bring similar comfort to elderly sufferers of dementia. Researchers at the University of Rochester encouraged twenty-five residents to rock as much as they like and they became less upset and anxious and required less pain medication. Who’s to say it couldn’t work for you?
4. Make Lists
Writing it down (whatever “it” may be. is a successful tool for managing stress. Just make sure your list doesn’t get out of control. After all, your list is supposed to help with your stress, not add to it. Remember that you can always adjust your priorities. (Oh God. Who does not love a good list! And when you draw a line through something? Bliss).
5. Paint Your Toenails … Even in the Winter
In the winter months, it’s easy to ignore your feet until they morph into a Shrek-like monstrosity. Who’s going to see them anyway, right? Wrong. You are! (And the person you share a bed with) So give them a soak, a scrub, a bit of moisture, and a dash of color. You’ll feel better instantly.
6. Wake up the Right Way
Are you coffee lover? Wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee by investing in a percolator with a programmable timer. Tired of waking up to the shriek of a buzzer or the irritating voice of the talk radio host? Get yourself an alarm clock that wakes you up with natural light and sounds.
7. Talk About Something New
People tend to get stuck on the same old topics of conversation. Stimulate your mind and encourage others, too, by finding one little interesting tidbit a day and starting a conversation by saying, “Did you hear about _________? What do you think?”
8. Refuse to Give Advice
The easiest way to get sucked down the negative spiral is by participating. Do your friends a favor: when they start unloading their problems on you, let them figure it out on their own. The reverse is also true—don’t bore your friends with your problems. Focus on fun! (Currently being in study mode, focusing on fun is an effort - which I should make more of!)
9. Rearrange Your Furniture
It may sound silly, but even the tiniest shift of a kitchen table or couch can make all the difference. It’ll make the room—and you!—feel new again. And the best part? It doesn’t cost a thing. (Tip: If you need to move a large item on your own, stick a dish towel under each leg and push; or if you’ve got carpet, use furniture sliders.) (I did this yesterday - who would have thought procrastinating to the extreme could also be a happiness activity?)
10. Smile on the Outside
Even when you’ve got nothing to smile about. Forcing a smile can trick your body into changing your mood. You’ll also find that other people will react better to you when you’ve got a smile on your face. Voilà ! You’ve just created a snowball effect of fuzzy feelings.
11. Gaze at a Photograph
If the photograph is of a loved one, it can stimulate blood supply to the brain, says researcher Andreas Bartels from University of London. Imagine them giving you a hug.
12. Get Informed
Stuck on a problem that just won’t go away? Try Googling it. Reading up on how other people have handled your situation may give you some clues on how to tackle it yourself.
13. Turn off the TV
Happy people don’t watch TV. Instead, they socialize, which brings them more long-term satisfaction. We’re not saying to skip your favorite shows altogether. But if the choice is between watching something just because it’s on, and grabbing a friend for a last minute dinner date … well … you know what to do. Delicious and good for you! (They clearly haven't heard of True Blood. I joke. But True Blood is my current obsession... But I don't watch TV - miss so much advertising because of it).
14. Eat Avocados
Avocados are good for your skin, your hair, and—more importantly—your heart. But did you know they’re also good for your mood? They’ve got monounsaturated fats and tryptophan, which boosts feel-good chemical endorphins in the brain.
15. Sing or Hum a Tune
Listening to music can make you feel good, but singing or humming your own tune is even better! Try making up the words to one of your favorite songs, and sing it out loud. Even if your cat is the only one who appreciates it, you’ll feel good about it.
16. Break the Rules
Here’s a little known confidence booster: when you follow your own path, (especially when you go against the grain. it’s incredibly intoxicating. We’re not advocating anything illegal, just saying that you should do exactly what you want sometimes and not what you think you should be doing.
17. Invigorate Your Senses
A quick spray of lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, or lemon can clear your head quicker than you think. For an extra-calming treat, take a nap on a pillow scented with lavender—either in fabric spray form, or crumble some of the plant itself and put it in your pillowcase.
18. Visit a Quiet Place
Libraries, museums, gardens, and other quiet places can give you a break from the frantic pace of everyday life. Find a secret spot and make it your sanctuary, whether it’s in your backyard or the Reference section. (And don't check your email/Facebook/Four Square).
19. Forgive Someone
Research shows that those who are able to forgive are less stressed, less angry, and more optimistic than those who aren’t. So, if you’re holding onto old grudges for the sake of it, it might just be time to let go.
20. Spend More Time with Your Happy Friends
Misery loves company. Too often, we find ourselves surrounded by soul-crushing negativity. The good news? Happiness really is contagious. Research shows that happiness, even when removed by three degrees, can make you happier than an extra $5000. Focus on spending time with the optimistic people in your life and you might just become one of them.
Tech Post
I am by no means any good with technology. Computers provide the most basic services of Facebook stalking, photo upload and the occasional Word document. Cameras - point and shoot please! With a bit of zoom. Telephones - iPhone only. Will never use another mobile technology again. Yes. I'm hopeless. However, I can be cajoled into using new things if they are pretty! And these little gems of tech below, I believe, are just that...
This adorable, Chanel-esque quilted video camera. With rhinestones! Double gem. And how cheap is it, at $115?!
Vivienne Westwood laptop for HP.
Swarovski-crystal encrusted headphones. Why not?
This adorable, Chanel-esque quilted video camera. With rhinestones! Double gem. And how cheap is it, at $115?!
Vivienne Westwood laptop for HP. 
Swarovski-crystal encrusted headphones. Why not?
Friday, April 16, 2010
Happy Friday
I figured I may as well keep this theme of romance going... Not that I'll be getting much romance this weekend, as I stare down the barrel of yet another 6,000 word assignment. This time on transnational corruption. (Not as yawn-worthy as you may think... Hidden nerd!).
In All The Wrong Places?
I am a person who is looking for love.
Real love.
Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can’t-live-without-each-other love.
- Carrie Bradshaw
Aren't we all? Some people have found it. Others don't know what it even looks like. Others imagine it with all their heart - full of hope, expectation and excitement.
After sending Textbook Romance to Ali - several weeks after my initial promise (sorry about that!) - and feeling rather gooey inside at the thought of sending some of that sisterhood love o/s.... I couldn't help but think about what love is, what it should look like from the outside in, and how it should really feel for the parties involved.
I have my own incredibly bad habits in romance that I need to break... Most people think I'm a masochist, damaging my self-esteem on purpose with each boyfriend I'm with. But I try to explain - to them and to myself - that deep down I know what I want, and when I'm ready it will be there. On a plate. And it will look a lot like what Etta has to say.
I know it's not entirely appropriate to say this as I'm so far off marriage that it's not even funny. But if I ever marry, not only will 'At Last' have a spot, so too will this song - because this, I believe, is where it's at. Someone who likes me for me. It shouldn't be that hard.
I'm so pleased to hear that Operation Textbook Romance is in action. Friendship is one of the greatest places from which to start a relationship ... But even if you don't get a relationship per se out of it, you will have a friendship irrespective of what happens.
Let's hear it for hope, romance, and the butterflies that reside in our stomach in between. xo
Real love.
Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can’t-live-without-each-other love.
- Carrie Bradshaw
Aren't we all? Some people have found it. Others don't know what it even looks like. Others imagine it with all their heart - full of hope, expectation and excitement.
After sending Textbook Romance to Ali - several weeks after my initial promise (sorry about that!) - and feeling rather gooey inside at the thought of sending some of that sisterhood love o/s.... I couldn't help but think about what love is, what it should look like from the outside in, and how it should really feel for the parties involved.
I have my own incredibly bad habits in romance that I need to break... Most people think I'm a masochist, damaging my self-esteem on purpose with each boyfriend I'm with. But I try to explain - to them and to myself - that deep down I know what I want, and when I'm ready it will be there. On a plate. And it will look a lot like what Etta has to say.
I know it's not entirely appropriate to say this as I'm so far off marriage that it's not even funny. But if I ever marry, not only will 'At Last' have a spot, so too will this song - because this, I believe, is where it's at. Someone who likes me for me. It shouldn't be that hard.
I'm so pleased to hear that Operation Textbook Romance is in action. Friendship is one of the greatest places from which to start a relationship ... But even if you don't get a relationship per se out of it, you will have a friendship irrespective of what happens.
Let's hear it for hope, romance, and the butterflies that reside in our stomach in between. xo
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Oprah's Not Gonna Like This
Biographer Kitty Kelley has debunked the mythology that is Oprah. Television's earth mother, known for spouting spiritual healing and love at will, apparently refers to herself in the 3rd person (I find this hilarious) and apparently comes across as a demanding diva. Derrrrrr.... Wouldn't you be throwing your weight around a bit if you were one of the most powerful biarches in the world?
Here's one of the instances of diva Oprah:
"About five years ago, she contacted Washington DC's L'Enfant Gallery because she owned works by artist John Kirthian Court and wanted to see more.
Gallery owner Peter Colasante bought three paintings ($US60,000 to $80,000 each) and had them shipped from Portugal to his shop for Winfrey's consideration. He received a schedule for her visit: ''2:17 pm: Oprah's limousine arrives at L'Enfant Gallery, 2:20pm: Oprah walks into gallery …''
On the appointed day and time, two limos pulled up and Winfrey went into a shop across the road. After waiting 30 minutes, Mr Colasante walked over and found his famous client berating the shop's owner, Deborah Gore Dean.
He told Winfrey and her entourage (secretary, pilot, hairdresser, makeup man, guards) he had other appointments and she needed to honour her timetable. ''Oprah does not walk,'' she told him.
Then she started screaming at her staff, but finally agreed to go to his gallery.
''I just don't feel it,'' she told him. ''The vibrations aren't right.''
''You'll feel them once you see the paintings,'' he said, pointing up the stairs where Court's art was hanging.
''Oprah does not do stairs,'' she said. Mr Colasante's partner hissed that maybe Winfrey could use the exercise, and she stormed out without buying anything. Ms Dean, who declined to be interviewed for the book, said she didn't discuss her clients.
Winfrey spokeswoman Lisa Halliday declined to comment. ''Kitty got it just right,'' Mr Colasante said. ''I was somewhat dumbfounded to see this side of Oprah. I've been in business 37 years, and I've never seen anyone behave that way before.''
Kelley's book has an initial print run of 500,000 but she said some news organisations had refused interviews for fear of Winfrey's wrath.
Are you amused by this or horrified? Are you illusions of Oprah as your awesome Aunt who makes time for you every day at 2pm shattered, or are you not surprised that there's a screamy, cranky, tired side to Oprah - just like normal people?
Here's one of the instances of diva Oprah:
"About five years ago, she contacted Washington DC's L'Enfant Gallery because she owned works by artist John Kirthian Court and wanted to see more.
Gallery owner Peter Colasante bought three paintings ($US60,000 to $80,000 each) and had them shipped from Portugal to his shop for Winfrey's consideration. He received a schedule for her visit: ''2:17 pm: Oprah's limousine arrives at L'Enfant Gallery, 2:20pm: Oprah walks into gallery …''
On the appointed day and time, two limos pulled up and Winfrey went into a shop across the road. After waiting 30 minutes, Mr Colasante walked over and found his famous client berating the shop's owner, Deborah Gore Dean.
He told Winfrey and her entourage (secretary, pilot, hairdresser, makeup man, guards) he had other appointments and she needed to honour her timetable. ''Oprah does not walk,'' she told him.
Then she started screaming at her staff, but finally agreed to go to his gallery.
''I just don't feel it,'' she told him. ''The vibrations aren't right.''
''You'll feel them once you see the paintings,'' he said, pointing up the stairs where Court's art was hanging.
''Oprah does not do stairs,'' she said. Mr Colasante's partner hissed that maybe Winfrey could use the exercise, and she stormed out without buying anything. Ms Dean, who declined to be interviewed for the book, said she didn't discuss her clients.
Winfrey spokeswoman Lisa Halliday declined to comment. ''Kitty got it just right,'' Mr Colasante said. ''I was somewhat dumbfounded to see this side of Oprah. I've been in business 37 years, and I've never seen anyone behave that way before.''
Kelley's book has an initial print run of 500,000 but she said some news organisations had refused interviews for fear of Winfrey's wrath.
Are you amused by this or horrified? Are you illusions of Oprah as your awesome Aunt who makes time for you every day at 2pm shattered, or are you not surprised that there's a screamy, cranky, tired side to Oprah - just like normal people?
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Cover Girl
SJP on the cover of US Vogue, looking uber conservative for their "Great American Women" cover story.
Collaboration Gone Mad
Last year we celebrated, in addition to Barbie's 50th, Hello Kitty's 35th. I adore both, however I was close to going a little mad at all the Barbie collaborations. Sanrio was certainly out there pushing the Hello Kitty product, but it was far less the extravaganza of the Barb-sta. Or so I thought.
Sanrio is due to release a collection of wines in a fortnight, with Hello Kitty meowing about it's greatness.
First of all, I am not a huge fan of the labels, primarily because a 4 yr old could be mistaken for thinking that this was pretend booze made for them - i.e. a classless toy. Second, I don't care if HK is actually 35... HK still looks like a kitten. There is something terribly wrong about putting the face of a children's play character on the front of alcohol, knowing how messed up alcoholism can be for people.
Should I get off my high horse and be more fun, or do you agree?
DISCLAIMER: I adore Hello Kitty. I have HK stuff everywhere, much to the horror of my fully grown housemates. I don't care. This love and adoration may explain my near-violent reaction to the booze/HK collaboration.
Sanrio is due to release a collection of wines in a fortnight, with Hello Kitty meowing about it's greatness.
First of all, I am not a huge fan of the labels, primarily because a 4 yr old could be mistaken for thinking that this was pretend booze made for them - i.e. a classless toy. Second, I don't care if HK is actually 35... HK still looks like a kitten. There is something terribly wrong about putting the face of a children's play character on the front of alcohol, knowing how messed up alcoholism can be for people. Should I get off my high horse and be more fun, or do you agree?
DISCLAIMER: I adore Hello Kitty. I have HK stuff everywhere, much to the horror of my fully grown housemates. I don't care. This love and adoration may explain my near-violent reaction to the booze/HK collaboration.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Wolf Whistle
If you are gearing up for your next seduction routine, have more cash than you can poke a stick at or you are simply determined not to let expense get in the way of things, you really must investigate Wolford, purveyor of ridiculously gorgeous stockings. Honestly, I'm pretty sure Dita Von Teese would go nuts for these silks.
Priced between $99-$150, be sure you have a manicure and pedicure before slipping these puppies on. There will be tears if you puncture these on your first wear. *Note: A hosiery glove is available to buy on the site for $29 to ensure the potnetial for such tragedies occurring is minimised.
Wolford Boutique Melbourne also stocks a range of monstrously expensive (yet to-die-for) ready to wear fashion. Here's a peek at some of their Autumn/Winter 2010 offering...
Priced between $99-$150, be sure you have a manicure and pedicure before slipping these puppies on. There will be tears if you puncture these on your first wear. *Note: A hosiery glove is available to buy on the site for $29 to ensure the potnetial for such tragedies occurring is minimised.Wolford Boutique Melbourne also stocks a range of monstrously expensive (yet to-die-for) ready to wear fashion. Here's a peek at some of their Autumn/Winter 2010 offering...
Monday, April 12, 2010
Sex & The City 2
I take it all back. I can't wait for this.
Aidan!!!!!!!!! Like a virgin!!! Samantha back in form! Cocktails! Friends as soulmates!!!
Aidan!!!!!!!!! Like a virgin!!! Samantha back in form! Cocktails! Friends as soulmates!!!
Make Me Some Pie
For all you New Yorkers who miss good old fashioned meat pies, you should get your good selves down to Four & Twenty Blackbirds, which opened last Friday (9th April). It looks mouthwatering... Coincidentally, I ate a sausage roll - classic wet weather, work food - on Friday to celebrate my birhtday. With pink milk. It's one of my old favourite meals. Pure comfort. Bliss.
Keep your fork, there's pie. Awesome.
Please note: It's in Brooklyn ... Sort of NYC. :o)
Keep your fork, there's pie. Awesome.Please note: It's in Brooklyn ... Sort of NYC. :o)
Friday, April 9, 2010
Happy Friday: Ageing Prematurely
A few weeks ago I mentioned the grey hair trend, spotted on the Chanel and Dior catwalks as well as in the roots of iconic Kate Moss. The trend is catching on...No longer the domain of the blue rinse set, the grey we usually associate with bingo players has now gone pop. Literally. Kelly Osbourne, Pixie Geldof, Agyness Deyn, Daphne Guiness, Lady Gaga, Pink and even Tavi are all accessorising their youth in shades of grey. However, for those who are naturally hitting their grey stride, do not be tricked into thinking this trend means you can stop with the brunette rinse. The trend is intended to highlight youth, rather than celebrate ageing.
When Nicole Kidman let her grey peek through (I don't think you're allowed to dye your hair when you're pregnant, but then I don't know much about pregnancy other than you're not supposed to drink) at the premiere of Australia, one commentator accusing her of breaking the "last taboo". Furthermore, Jennifer Aniston declared in 2007 that she sobbed when she found her first grey hair. Be warned.
And tomorrow marks my 29th birthday. As I see it, still in my 20s, I can grey my hair (but I won't - it looks stoopid) and revel in the remaining 365 days of my youth: bring on the bad decisions, bad boyfriends, binge drinking and reckless travel that have marked my roaring 20s.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
CrimeChange
Far be it from me to promote a TV show ... (haha) but the third instalment in Australian televised crime, Underbelly, begins on Sunday evening on Channel 9. This 3rd instalment is a sequel to the second instalment (which was Aussie crime in Melbourne from the late '70s to early '80s), and a sort-of prequel to the orginal Underbelly (late '90s- early 2000s) which first lifted the lid on the seedy underworld of Australian mafia-like crime in Melbourne and Sydney. Underbelly (the original, anyway) was really Kath & Kim gone bad (and considerably more ethnic).
Amongst the Aussie actors featured in the show - including Steve Bastoni (remember Police Rescue? Mickey (aka Gary Sweet aka ladies man as Johanna Griggs can attest) was my first TV crush) and Dieter Brummer, the fallen Home & Away star who sought career revival with Dominos ads (let's hope Underbelly works out better) - is one of my absolute favourite Aussie actresses, Sigrid Thornton.
As well as her roles in Prisoner and All the Rivers Run, Thornton really came to my attention in Seachange as the city lawyer who threw it all in to become a Magistrate in the adorable coastal town of Pearl Bay ... and to fall in love with one of my other great TV crushes, Diver Dan. Let's take a moment to reflect on Diver Dan's excellence, shall we?
How much did you cry in that scene? Bucketloads. (Wait, that's not Meredith in bed - but you know the scene I mean. Final episode, Meredith has a stroke. Devastating).
According to the Sydney Morning Heral, in Underbelly Thornton plays Detective Gerry Lloyd, a power-suited policewoman who finds herself caught between the murky realm of Kings Cross policing and the Wood Royal Commission, which set the stage for its implosion.
In keeping with a structure set with the first Underbelly, the criminals are based on their real-life historical namesakes but the "good guys", including Lloyd and Joe Dooley, are assembled from historical accounts of a number of actual police into fictional characters.
Sigrid has this to say about the new drama: "[Australian drama] was in danger of becoming anachronistic and this is about as modern as you can get. And yet it still speaks very much to an Australian audience. We know it happened here and in the heart of some of our major cities and that lends it a particular flavour Australian audiences are ready for."
"I think Australian audiences were ready for something that was a fast-moving, raw, drama that didn't patronise them, that allowed them to think on their feet, allowed them to fill in the dots. But it also came off the back of a wave of dramas coming out of the US that were exploring the multi-faceted nature of criminals, crime and the underworld, exploring the moral ambiguity of crime. Underbelly takes that one step further, exploring the moral ambiguity of policing crime."
This is why I love her. Look at that vocabulary! And her talent! And her beauty! She is an absolute stunner - and that's without adding on the patronising "for her age". Yay for Sigrid, and yay for Australian drama.
Amongst the Aussie actors featured in the show - including Steve Bastoni (remember Police Rescue? Mickey (aka Gary Sweet aka ladies man as Johanna Griggs can attest) was my first TV crush) and Dieter Brummer, the fallen Home & Away star who sought career revival with Dominos ads (let's hope Underbelly works out better) - is one of my absolute favourite Aussie actresses, Sigrid Thornton.
As well as her roles in Prisoner and All the Rivers Run, Thornton really came to my attention in Seachange as the city lawyer who threw it all in to become a Magistrate in the adorable coastal town of Pearl Bay ... and to fall in love with one of my other great TV crushes, Diver Dan. Let's take a moment to reflect on Diver Dan's excellence, shall we? 
How much did you cry in that scene? Bucketloads. (Wait, that's not Meredith in bed - but you know the scene I mean. Final episode, Meredith has a stroke. Devastating).According to the Sydney Morning Heral, in Underbelly Thornton plays Detective Gerry Lloyd, a power-suited policewoman who finds herself caught between the murky realm of Kings Cross policing and the Wood Royal Commission, which set the stage for its implosion.
In keeping with a structure set with the first Underbelly, the criminals are based on their real-life historical namesakes but the "good guys", including Lloyd and Joe Dooley, are assembled from historical accounts of a number of actual police into fictional characters.
Sigrid has this to say about the new drama: "[Australian drama] was in danger of becoming anachronistic and this is about as modern as you can get. And yet it still speaks very much to an Australian audience. We know it happened here and in the heart of some of our major cities and that lends it a particular flavour Australian audiences are ready for."
"I think Australian audiences were ready for something that was a fast-moving, raw, drama that didn't patronise them, that allowed them to think on their feet, allowed them to fill in the dots. But it also came off the back of a wave of dramas coming out of the US that were exploring the multi-faceted nature of criminals, crime and the underworld, exploring the moral ambiguity of crime. Underbelly takes that one step further, exploring the moral ambiguity of policing crime."
This is why I love her. Look at that vocabulary! And her talent! And her beauty! She is an absolute stunner - and that's without adding on the patronising "for her age". Yay for Sigrid, and yay for Australian drama.
Autumn
Olaf HajekToday marked the first day I needed to wear a jacket in the morning. Which I promptly had to strip off as I had to run for the bus because I was late ... again.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Fashion Roadkill
Not long ago, I asked what happened to the beautiful Gemma Ward.
All is revealed in this fascinating story from Page Six magazine, titled Gemma Ward, A Supermodel Betrayed. I think you can probably guess...
All is revealed in this fascinating story from Page Six magazine, titled Gemma Ward, A Supermodel Betrayed. I think you can probably guess...
Think Global, Act Regional
Taking a local approach to candy bars, Nestlé recently launched 19 new Kit Kat flavours in Japan that reflect food specialities of specific districts. Each flavour is sold exclusively in the region for which it was created, making the limited edition Kit Kats popular souvenirs for travellers.
The uniquely Japanese Kit Kat varieties include yubari melon and baked corn from Hokkaido; strawberry cheesecake from Yokohama; cherries from Yamagata Prefecture; and sweet potato, blueberry and soybean from the Kanto region. Other varieties include wasabi, green tea, apple, green beans, chilli and miso. Tapping in to the Japanese tradition of sending students good luck wishes before their exams, Nestlé also launched a marketing campaign with Japan's postal service to create "Kit Kat Mail," a postcard-like product sold only at the post office.
Developing an intimate understanding of the local market and targeting it creatively has earned Kit Kat the position of number one confectionery brand in Japan.
I have no idea when the last time was that I ate a Kit Kat. If it was a Kit Kat for my region, I wonder what it would be? Kangaroo? Seafood? Or beer?
Not So Bizarre
This month's Harper's Bazaar features a somewhat controversial - in fashion terms, that is - cover: Lily Allen, topless and sketched rather than photographed. Controversial in the sense that Harper's has, for no particular reason (i.e. Vogue Oz only did the sketch thing to celebrate its 50th birthday) eschewed the usual photoshopped, photographed, glamazon model in favour of small, visible boobs and pencils.
Edwina McCann took over editorial duties of Harper's late last year, which I believe has been a revelation for the magazine. Edwina basically epitomises the readership with her clear intellect and stylistic brilliance. McCann was style editor for the Weekend Australian Magazine for several years. I was obsesssed with her style advice column, as well as the weekly fashions she identified as trend setting. She combines forward-looking fashion sense with a stylish sensibility which, while somewhat restrained, is also boundary pushing. She translates high fashion into wearability, making sense of haute couture and finding a place for Chanel next to Country Road in our wardrobes that doesn't appear either showy or as though you are trying too hard. The articles in Harpers are far more readable and identifiable - familiar to our lives, yet still that dream world of fashion we like to get lost in every now and again.
Edwina McCann took over editorial duties of Harper's late last year, which I believe has been a revelation for the magazine. Edwina basically epitomises the readership with her clear intellect and stylistic brilliance. McCann was style editor for the Weekend Australian Magazine for several years. I was obsesssed with her style advice column, as well as the weekly fashions she identified as trend setting. She combines forward-looking fashion sense with a stylish sensibility which, while somewhat restrained, is also boundary pushing. She translates high fashion into wearability, making sense of haute couture and finding a place for Chanel next to Country Road in our wardrobes that doesn't appear either showy or as though you are trying too hard. The articles in Harpers are far more readable and identifiable - familiar to our lives, yet still that dream world of fashion we like to get lost in every now and again.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)