'Sigh'

My Project

Surfer Boy and I are extremely lucky because both sets of our parents have holiday homes in the same coastal town.  Not only do we get to spend our winter weekends there whenever we like but my parents vacate the house for the entire month of January so that we can re-locate there for the summer holidays.

The only fly in the ointment is the lack of space for the whole family to be there together.  It was perfect when we were growing up but now that my brother and I have families we tend to use the house separately which is a shame.  Every summer we throw around ideas - if we pull out a wall here/ add a room there/ etc but this summer I have had an epiphany!!

If you regularly read this blog you will know that I have a hankering for a caravan and have even been scouring eBay on the sly for my dream van.  We have nowhere at home to put it but I suddenly realised I can kill to birds with one stone and get on for the beach house!  Woo Hooo!  A perfect excuse for my dream project and solves some space issues into the bargain.  Win Win.

The next task is convincing my parents that it is a good idea because it is, after all, their house.  The ace up my sleeve is that it won't cost them anything so with a bit of luck they will be happy to let me annex a couple of metres of yard.
I'm posting these pics here so my Dad can get an idea of what I would like to do.  As the interior of the house is red I have thrown in some red vans to really sweeten the deal.... is it working Dad???

My lovely friend Kris gave me this book for Christmas which has now become my bible and the lynch pin for my caravan campaign. 

Wish me luck.

Role Model

Looking forward to this coming out later in the year.  It is the story of Bethany Hamilton , the young surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack.  Inspirational young lady who is not only back in the water but winning surf comps again. 

On The Road Discussion

This conversation perfectly illustrates what made Gilmore Girls so brilliant.

Paris: A tragic waste of paper.

Jess: I can’t believe you just said that.

Paris: Well it’s true. The Beats’ writing was completely self-indulgent. I have 1 word for Jack Kerouac: Edit.

Jess: It was not self-indulgent, The Beats believed in shocking people, stirring things up.

Paris: They believed in drugs, booze, and petty crime.

Rory: Well, then you could say that they exposed you to a world that you wouldn’t have otherwise known. Isn’t that what great writing is all about?

Paris: That was not great writing. It was the National Enquirer of the 50’s.

Jess: You’re cracked.

Paris: Typical guy response. Worship Kerouac and Bukowski, god forbid you pick up anything by Jane Austen.

Jess: Hey, I’ve read Jane Austen

Paris: You have?

Jess: Yeah, and I think she would have liked Bukowski

Kelly Slater

10 World Titles - that is just insane!

congratulations Kelly, not only on your win but on a career that will be a benchmark for decades to come.

Lots of Lime

I can't quite work out if I like this or not.  Sooooo green - maybe a little too much for my liking.

Shop Love - well bar actually

The Wellesbourne in Los Angeles has me all in a dither.  I want to slide into one of those booths with my well worn copy of .... well anything really..  and wile away the hours reading, drinking tea and hopefully being served by a 'Jess Mariano'. 

Surprisingly there seems to be a trend in LA at the moment for 'Literary Bars' and I'm hoping the trend finds it's way to Melbourne very soon!  If crass, brash LA can do it then what on earth is to stop cultured, thoughtful Melbourne from doing it even better?

She Had It Coming!

Well what does she expect if she can't even do that right? 
This add made me laugh out loud but in reality what an appalling message to society. I can't believe they ever got away with this shit.

Purely For My Own Pleasure

I'm thinking of stocking these Mexican nesting pots in my store for no other reason than that I think they are cute as.  If I order them for CHALK then I have an excuse to have a row of them on my windowsill - perhaps I'll put herbs in them.... hmmm... maybe coloured pencils.....cutlery....

Wreaths

Aren't they lovely - I'm thinking that now that the Christmas bunting is done for this year I might have to get into a bit of stick art next Christmas.  Surely it can't be that hard!  Maybe a gumleaf version...

Thses beauties can be found here

Kirsten Dunst

All Grown Up!

God I love Face Book - Last night I found one of my students from Trinity Grammar. 
Edward was in Grade 3 when I taught him and he's just turned 19 years old!  Holy shit - where did that time go?
In the course of catching up I discovered he is studying graphic design and and he offered to make me a movie poster of my choice - can you imagine my excitment?!  There was only one choice for me - GREASE 2 and the sweet boy was too polite to scoff at me.

I came home from work today to discover that he has already done it and it is amazing.  I absolutely love it and can't wait to have it framed for the new house.

Not only is it a unique portrayal of one of my favourite movies but it has been made by a boy who I spent a year of my life with and quite frankly adored.  He was a gorgeous boy and it looks like he's turned into a lovely man. 
Thank you so much Edward!

Not Doing Justice

 I was walking past my own store the other day and snapped off a couple of shots of the windows for my file - I have come to the realisation that I either need a new camera, or more to the point, a new friend with a kick arse camera and the ability to photograph my windows properly!!
Any takers??

Official Engagement Photo

I'll admit I am a complete sucker for these two!  William and I share a birthday so I feel a special affinity with him - pathetic I know.
I do love this official photo that The Palace has just released to commemorate the engagement - they look relaxed, happy and very much a team.

It's a Book Tree

There are so many creative people out there doing amazing things with ordinary objects - Christmas is a perfect time to get creative.  I love what these people have done with books to create their Christmas trees.

Eye Candy - Ian Somerhalder

'I like candy when it's wrapped in a sweater...'

(Bow Wow Wow)

Gidget's Nook

I make it a general rule not to go up to my daughter's top bunk more than is necessary and only if she invites me as it is very much her space and when you share a room with your brother it's very necessary to have some privacy. 

As a result I leave her to it except every couple of weeks when I storm the citadel to change the linen and make sure nothing unseemly is growing up there.  Today was one such days.

WOW!! Is there a lot of stuff up there!!  After throwing armfuls of extra bedding, books, folders, diaries off the bunk to go back in their rightful homes I was left with the most wonderful snap shot of pre-teen life.

Amongst the array of soft toys and fairies there are movie posters, pictures of Katie Perry and Kylie, letters from friends, album covers from the likes of Mylie, jewellery and a million other treasures.  Although it looks insane, when you look closer you realise that everything is immaculately arranged.  I sat up there for ages just taking it all in.  Often when we lie up there to read together she tells me about the stuff and it's significance and it's the most amazing window in to her world.
I am actually rather jealous of her space as when the curtain is drawn and the lamp is on it is the most delicious hide-a-way.

Perhaps I need to incorporate my own nook in to the extension?

Birds ARE scary

I'm sorry but I find this picture hilarious.  Every time I look at it I chuckle.  Hope it makes you smile too.

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