Christmas 2009!

I've just spent a wonderful Christmas lunch with boyfriend and his wonderful family today and HAD to show off some of my gifts! The first 2 were from my boyfriend's gorgeous mum, Jenn, who is helping me to embrace my love of baking...

I had seen this set of measuring cups on ModCloth and fell in love with them and was going to buy them for a girlfriend for Christmas (I think I still will) but didn't think I would get a set of my own! Jenn got these from Zinc on Toorak Road.









Aren't they adorable?!

She also got me a cookie press and icing set from Avanti. I had bought a really crappy icing set from Woolies for really cheap - used it once and never again because it was pretty painful. Needless to say, I was uber excited to finally have a proper one of my own!



Not only did I get a beautiful charmed set ring from Matt's wonderful grandma, Wendy, but she also gave me an old bag that she doesn't use anymore. She noticed a bag that I started using after saving it from becoming mum's trash and realised that she had one that looked really similar that she didn't use... and now it's mine! It's a bit bigger than my other one which is really great because it's size got a bit annoying at times.



New and old.



I sincerely hope you and your loved ones had a great Christmas as well, and that Santa was as good to you as he was to me!

A Wholesome 1950s Picnic!

A very good friend of mine, Brittany, turned 21 a couple of weeks ago, and Saturday was the party! Much to my delight, she decided to have a '50s themed picnic, suitable for grownups and kiddies alike. As soon as the invites were sent out, careful planning for my outfit ensued. I was doubly-stoked when she asked me to do the cupcakes. I'm no Martha Stewart (though I try) but I do like to put my baking "skills" to the test whenever I get the chance... and I pounced at this!

Here I am in my wonderful new, '50s inspired dress (which I plan on wearing again and again)...


The birthday girl...


And my cupcakes with my terrible camera...


It was a beautiful day and the rain managed to stay for most of it. I hope our Brittany had a wonderful 21st birthday - she very much deserves it!

We are saved...

...from the wrath that was the McCain/Palin onslaught!



This was a speech for the ages, one that not only African Americans will look to as the epitome of hope and courage, but the rest of the world will look to this historic moment as the start of a new beginning - free from the shackles of old bigotry that was the Bush administration. As I sat on the floor of my boyfriend's lounge room, I knew that this was a moment that I would be proud to tell my grandchildren about years from now; as a time that the world stopped to see that faith and hope was blind to race, gender, religion and sexual orientation. As a proud Australian and world citizen, I cannot find the words to express how happy I am that so many dreams were realised yesterday, and that the best man for the job won.

The world is and will be a step closer to being a better place now. Obama/Biden is the dawn of a new, bright and hopeful day.

WAG night of nights.

I don't follow the footy nearly as closely as I used to. After the Ben Cousin melodrama and the Chris Judd feeding frenzy I can't watch it the same way I used to. However, I always make time for the Grand Final and Brownlow night - where the wives and girlfriends (WAGs) of footballers strut their stuff, proving that when it comes to clothing, less is more.

There were, however, a few girls that did manage to leave some things sacred. Jonathan Brown's date, Kylie Adams, as well as Paul Medhurst's date, Hayley Moxon, looked beautiful and proved that you don't need to show cleavage to look feminine and glamourous, even if it does make you a disgrace to the WAG way of life.

And if I have to hear about how Rebecca Twigley (girlfriend of Chris Judd) stole the show one more time, I think I might scream. Her dress, made of two cut up bedsheets cinched at the waist by a god awful Roman inspired monstrosity of a belt and shoes gave her the "I can wear all the latest trends at once and make them all look shit and cheap" prize, whilst also making me think twice about the Roman sandals I bought a few seasons ago that I've been eager to dust off for summer. How dare you make me doubt my vintage prowess! And I don't think we need to talk about the dress that Brent Harvey's wife wore... let's just leave it behind us.

On the other hand, I probably should thank the ladies of football, for reminding me that you don't need to be rich to stop you from looking like a terracotta-tinted tart. Following the latest trends make you look stupid and are nothing to classic, long lasting style and glamour, and WAGs would never be able to tell the difference if it locked them in a sun bed. If anything, I should take comfort in the fact that in 10 years time, the WAGs will look back on their red carpet photos thinking "What in the name of arse was I thinking?" and if they don't, they leave all the tasteful and classic stuff for the rest of us who actually have style.

I wish the girls from Go Fug Yourself could've seen the Brownlow. OH, they'd have a field day.

In other news, I wish I had an occasion to wear this dress to. It is EXACTLY my size. This will probably the only time I'll ever say "I wish I were a WAG", or, "I wish I had an invite to the ARIAs".

That's a class of our own, my love...

Yesterday and today, I find myself feeling one of those occasional pangs of sorrow about Pete Doherty. He's such a talent and gentle soul. Eloquent, charming, and a genuine poet, his work the Libertines and Babyshambles shows a purity that manages to cut through all the drama and sensationalism around his life. I long for a reunion of the Libertines and, more importantly, a return to health for Doherty. He's got too much talent for him to completely fall apart from his own self-destruction.

Short and sweet.

Last night, three of my friends and I battled through the wind and the rain to see Vampire Weekend at the Prince Bandroom and it was definitely worth it. They apologised for not having more songs (the self-titled debut album is only half an hour long) but were entertaining all the same. No, they are not a death metal band. Who knew that African-inspired drums and heavy bass would work so well together?

Oh and check out the lead singer's head of hair and the bassist's awesome moves.

I'm in the Magic Position.

Today's post is dedicated to one of the most beautiful men in the world - Patrick Wolf. For those of you who haven't been introduced - you are missing out on a lot.

Patrick Wolf released his debut album Lycanthropy at the tender age of 20 (which makes me feel like a pathetic under-achiever at 19) after immersing himself in music at an even earlier age. He even made his own theremin at age 11 and, like David Bowie, can probably play every instrument under the sun. His soulful, melancholic tones have a haunting sense of yearning that anyone can relate to, whilst still being raw and gutsy enough to not be too miss-ish and pretentious. In his latest album, The Magic Position, Wolf experiments more with pop, with wonderful results, such as the title track (and my current ringtone). He's also amazingly incredible live, as I had the absolute privilege of seeing the man in action at one of my favourite venues, the Corner Hotel, last year in November.

Here are some clips for your viewing pleasure. You'll wonder what you ever did without him.