This Is Australia

More reasons to love where I live...

Photographer - Jared Fowler

Photographer - Michael Wee

Photographer - Simon Griffiths

Never Far From Our Thoughts

I just got sent these beautiful shots of Tas's Paddle and couldn't resist posting them. They were taken by Chris Carey via Blizzy.

I also love this shot I took of Gidget throwing Tas's flowers back after they'd washed up on shore.

My Picasso

FINALLY!!!

Moondoggie has never been a prolific drawer. His pictures are usually of the 'round and round scribble' variety.

While sitting across from me, enjoying our morning cafe break he asked for a pen so he could 'draw' on the napkin. Imagine my surprise when he actually drew something recognisable. Imagine my even greater surprise when he drew the whole thing upside down!! He drew it from my perspective, not his. Is that weird??

By the way - it's the Gingerbread Man with his gumdrop buttons, of course.

Bedtime!

A Life's Design

Stooged

A couple of months ago Surfer Boy and I sold some industrial letters, that SB had salvaged, on ebay. A guy in Sydney bought them and sent a courier truck down to Melbourne to pick them up. All good. Another successful ebay transaction. (and in case you're interested, we sold them for about $80 each)

Today I was doing a bit of web surfing and came across a website for a shop in Sydney that sells industrial furniture, cool bric a brac etc. Imagine my surprise when I realised the industrial letters I was looking at were in fact the ones we had sold! Imagine my even greater surprise when I saw they were selling them for $500.00 each!!! Good on them - I hope they do well with them, - the part that REALLY surprised me was they way they were advertised. Our industrial letters from MELBOURNE, made in the late 80's to early 90's were described thus...

Fantastic Vintage box frame letters. Found in England circa 1950's.

$500 each

It pissed me off so much that they had blatantly bullshitted that I sent them a very polite email correcting the origins of the letters so that they could update their information!

I don't mind if they inflate the price, but I do mind if they lie about where they came from to make them sound more exotic. The other problem is I now don't trust any of their descriptions and wonder how many other supposedly vintage pieces are in fact made last year in some factory in Indo.

SPRUNG! (Wonder if they'll change them??)

Spoiler Alert!

Oh My God!!!!

Jacob has just imprinted!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohh! Why Not???

I really want to get this Tee, but so far no one in my household has shown much enthusiasm!!!

Porch Dreams

90210

It will come as no surprise to anyone to hear that I am REALLY REALLY looking forward to Monday night! 8.30pm will find me glued to the television for my long awaited fix of 90210!

Anyone who holds a soft spot in their heart for these guys...

must be tuning in to see what the next generation has in store for us.

With Kelly, Brenda and supposedly Donna all on board for the new season it's bound to be a ripper. Nothing will be the same without the boys (but they obviously had more going on in their careers) Hopefully a little bit of Melrose Place in the person of Rob Estes will help ease the pain.

For anyone in the Yarraville area, or anywhere in Victoria for that matter, the Commercial Hotel in Yarraville has agreed to show 90210 on the BIG SCREEN for me. They are providing bean bags and I'm so excited I can barely contain myself. So if you want to come down and have a few drinks and indulge in a little 'Bevvas' we'll be starting 90210 nights on Monday the 15th September. Should be hilarious.



That opening music get's me every time. I'm so glad they kept it.

CHALK BLOG

Don't forget to pop over and visit my other blog. The CHALK blog not only keeps you up to date with all our new stock and the goings on in store, but there are also some wonderful examples of kids interiors - both the good and the dodgy!

Please leave me a comment so I know you have dropped in.

Jen

It Just Won't fit, No Matter How Hard I Push.

It's that time again where I sit staring at my bookshelves trying to work out where on earth I can fit the books I've just bought. Books are starting to stack up on each other and my slightly anal soul can't handle it. A solution must be found.
I started looking back through some of my files and found these inspiring book ideas...




This one I particularly love just for it's creativity and problem solving. In this apartment they have built the bookshelves into the stairway. To give you a clearer idea there is another view following.

Here they have solved the problem by putting their books in the ceiling joists - genius.

I think this might be the solution to my problem - I'll just hang all the extras from the ceiling. Surfer Boy will just love it!!

CHALLENGE 2

Now who could this golden haired boy be?

Drop In And Visit

Gabbinbar Homestead, Aust.

Iced Tea and a game of croquet anyone?

4 Days Till Spring!!!

I was so proud of myself for growing this - until I saw these....

Oh Well!

Happy Birthday Dadsy Wadsy

A massive HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the fabulous Bill Pearson, my Dad, and one of the greatest men you will ever meet.

According to my Mum tonight, Dad and I grow more alike every day.

I am more than happy to go with that as Dad is one of the most loving and generous people I have ever met and if I am only a little like him I will be happy.

The things my Dad has given me -

Generosity (hopefully)

a love of MGM musicals

the ability to remember fairly useless music and movie trivia

an interest in Authurian legends

olive skin

low cholesterol (sorry Mum)

we waddle when we're tired

a love of country music

the desire to keep up with pop culture

the ability to sit over a drink for hours

the tendency to grossly exaggerate to improve a story

a love of people watching

good spacial relations (definately not from Mum)

the ability to tune out others when reading or watching TV

a liking for Vanilla slices

love of surf culture
a love of shopping
and a million more that I'm sure I'll think of as soon as I sign off...
Happy Birthday Dad.

(Surfer Boy wanted me to add another - we are both vulgar and have a dirty sense of humour. - fair enough)

Goodbye Tas - Tasman Blizzard Memorial Paddle

Yesterday we said a final farewell to Tas Blizzard on his hometown beach at Point Lonsdale. Over 100 board riders paddled out to send Tas on his way and a 100 more threw yellow flowers from the beach. It was the most beautiful and moving ceremony I have ever been a part of and every touch was such a perfect reminder of Tas.

Andrew with Tas's dog Gemma

In Memory - Tasman Blizzard arch

Everyone heads through Tas's arch to hit the water.

Heading out.

The board riders formed a circle, holding hands while Blizz scattered Tas's ashes to a huge roar of approval from the board riders and those watching from the beach.

And as was so appropriate, everyone road the waves back in.
Tas Blizzar,

Tasman Blizzard farewell

The board riders club put on a BBQ and everyone slowly left the beach to continue to celebrate Tas's life with Blizzy, Rosemary and Michael. The whole day made me proud to be a part of such a supportive community and I hope that somewhere out there Tas was watching 'cause I recon he would have loved it.
Tasman Blizzard memorial paddle,

Tasman Blizzard, Tasman Blizzard

Soaring High

Oh My!!! I usually like my home small and cosy but these ceilings are stunning!!
Just imagine having book group in that lovely circle of armchairs... bliss.

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

Jen

In Memory of Tasman Blizzard

New Kid On The Block

For those of you who, like me, love shopping online, here's the latest website to check out. My lovely sister-in-law has developed Onesies.com.au and it went live over the weekend. If you are looking for a onesie (baby bodysuit) then this is the place to go. She has a wonderful selection of labels and caters to all budgets.
Pop in and have a look and let me know what you think.