Livin la vida loca

Hello world!

In the words of the great wordsmith, Ricky Martin,  I'm continuing to live life 'la vida loca'. 

Unfortunately none of the craziness is particularly glamorous and I have not made anyone' take their clothes off and go dancin in the rain'...  

I do promise however, updates on recent purchases and all things 'Rosey' will be a-happenin this weekend.

'I izz a bit loco'

xxoo Rose.

Where's Rose?

Hello world (no exclamation mark this time, you'll find out in a minute)

Sorry I've been MIA on the WWW as of late. Have had a tumultuous couple of weeks on the personal front. You know how it is, when one thing goes right, like the styling of the hair, everything else goes wrong, like the rest of the life.

I won't bore you with the details but rest assured since I'm writing again, things are on the up. And by up I mean a long and painful climb.

So while I've been dealing with serious bouts of melancholy, coupled with endless doctors appointments, I've still managed to consume sinful amounts of macarons, read a great book (The Alchemist) and even enter a few shops.

How'd I manage all of this, in what can mildly be described as some of the worst weeks of my life? Through the encouragement (read nagging) of my wonderful friends. And even though I'd have infinitely preferred the soothing comfort of lying in bed in foetal position, clearly the friends had other plans.

• Miss D rocked up from Sydney and dragged me (almost kicking and screaming) to our local cafe for tea and sympathy.
• Miss I had me over for lunch and crafted home made macarons. Did I mention she's a legend?
• Miss E & A took me to the promised land, the shopping mall.
• Cousin Rose and his beautiful wife took me to a fancy restaurant and let me order their undivided attention with a side plate of chips (yep that's all I ate, nothing like heartbreak to curb one's appetite, except macarons of course).

Finally, each member of 'da Rose' family (which includes the friends above) have provided unconditional love and support. Can't thank them enough really.

Photos of Miss I's macarons to be posted soon.

Until next time...Rose.

Nature versus Nurture

Hello world!

Any credible geneticist will tell you, all of us in some way, are a by product of characteristics and values determined from the minute we’re conceived. I’m not sure whether this is a heartening thing, but tis a fact of life.

Based on this, I decided to post this week about my own characteristics (both genetic and acquired) because, quite frankly, I’d dearly like to change some of them.

While this may appear slightly maudlin, it’s really not. I mean it’s not like I despise myself or anything, but there are parts of my personality that could really do with a bit of ‘zhuzhing’. As some of you may be aware, I have a teeeeensey weeensey shopping addiction. And, while I think I’ve curbed it for the most part, sometimes it can be a bit of a disease. Like if I don’t take regular doses of my ‘medicine’ (check my account balance), I think I could easily end up in ‘hospital’ (declare bankruptcy).       

Anyway all this talk about personality (by ‘talk’ I mean a one-sided conversation in my brain) got me thinking about whether my particular brand of idiosyncrasy is a result of ‘nature’ (Deoxyribonucleac Acid[1]) or ‘nurture’.

Well I know for a fact that ‘nature’ has generously gifted me with my mother’s rather perculiar temperment. This includes, the abilty to cry at the drop of a hat while remaining strangely silent in times of crisis, a certain flair for melodrama, and an unfortunate propensity for overreactions. WHAT??? Angelina over Jennifer??? Are you frickkin kidding me??? Honestly you think you know someone...  

So while the above characteristics make total sense to me, others leave me baffled. Why is it that I can remember every principal character from Dawson’s Creek, but can’t for the life of me do my 11 times tables? I mean for heaven’s sake I’m related to a man who has three post-graduate degrees in Economics (my father).  

Other fun characteristics, like my penchant for violent, melancholic movies (Scarface, The Godfather) can easily be attributed to a great film teacher I had in college. Even my recent foray into vintage clothes and furniture is an extension of my love of vintage literature, a love nurtured by my wonderful Year 9 English teacher.

I guess what I’m saying is that there are clearly parts of my personality that I cannot change. Cue overreaction to this realisation. Other stuff, like the shopaholism, recent bouts of insomnia and a new found addiction to ‘Grain Waves’ (a dangerous brand of flavoured chips) I’m pretty sure I can work on.

Well that’s all from me this week folks. I hope I’ve inspired you all to try a bit of psychoanalysis at home. Because after all, we should all become just that little more self involved, dont you think?

Until next time...Rose.

A recent trip to my local Gallery inpired this...see 'nurture'.

Cinema, Couture and Culinary Update

Crazy, Stupid, Love: This is the second movie I’ve watched, starring Emma Stone in a matter of weeks, and I gotta say the girl knows how to pick em.

A few weeks ago I was lamenting over the fact that Hollywood keeps producing romantic comedies that are neither romantic nor funny.

With this movie however, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Just the stellar cast alone, including Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Julianne Moore and Marisa Tomei, make this movie worthwhile. But it goes further.

I found the script so charming, and at times so poignant (no, really), I started relating the narrative to passages in my own life. My first hopeless romance, meeting my soul-mate in high school, a perceived lack of vulnerability...I could go on. Anyway I really enjoyed it- 4 out of 5.

Lavender Macaron from the National Portrait Gallery-Cafe. A little piece of heaven.

Op shop +Sportscraft blazer= awesome

[1] Or DNA. I actually know the scientific name. Google did not help me.

---

Weekend treasures

Hello world!

I was planning on posting these pics with my (ir)regular weekly post, but in the wise words of The Pointer Sisters " I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it".

I went op shopping on the weekend and picked up this beautiful cream sweater. I think it's circa 1980's.  Even though it's not really appropriate for Canberra's current climate, which is previewing what's likely to be a dry and unbearable summer, it's coming with me on my USA/Europe winter holiday. So snuggly and delicous looking!

Also scored a delightful Windsor chair, which means my dressing area is finally complete. Hurrah!

Until next time,
Rose xx

Music to my ears

Hello world!

I’ve had a fabulous time this past week. Nothing particularly glamorous or noteworthy to report, but just a general feeling of optimism and well...happiness! I suspect this feeling may have been aided, or boosted by the listening of some pretty amazing tunes.

Music has always played an important role in my life, having been assigned singing/music lessons when I was very young. In the beginning however, being an inherently shy person, these lessons were a form of cruel, cruel torture. Torture devised by a devious woman called Mother Rose.

To add further insult to injury, these lessons weren’t just your run of the mill keyboard lessons. Oh no, my Mother Rose insisted I learn to sing with and play, a classical Indian instrument called the harmonium.

 

The harmonium was devised by the French, but modified and adopted in the Indian sub continent some 100 years ago. Though it’s rarely used in the West, some contemporary singers, like Fiona Apple have used samples in their tracks.

Now picture this, it’s the early 90’s and I’m 7, so learning to play an ethnic instrument was about as cool as...well, learning to play an ethnic instrument. PLUS I was made to sing at cultural recitals. Peeing in your pants anyone?  

Fortunately as time wore on, my confidence grew, and I learnt to love signing and playing the harmonium. While I will never play in front of anyone EVER AGAIN, it’s nice to have a skill for life!

News just in- my relationship with the harmonium has come full circle with my mother now enlisting Little Rose for lessons! Ahh bless pushy stage mothers, they’re a rare breed.

Speaking of music, last week I declared my love for New Zealand singer, Kimbra. Her music is quite quirky, which I rather fancy and so very melodious. Kinda like another singer who caught my ear some time ago- the phenomenal Adele.





Both women are so fantastic and unique in their own way. Plus they're such a welcome change from the auto-tuned rubbish of Kesha and her ilk. Honestly, the state of today’s pop music almost makes me wish for a bout of tinnitus!

Well that’s about it from me this week folks. Hope you enjoyed my ramblings and happy listening...Rose.

Couture, Cinema and Culinary Update

More handmade earrings from Canberra designer, Chloe.

Had the loveliest dinner with Miss M and Miss I at Sage (Braddon, ACT) last Friday. This was my second time dining there, and if possible, it was even better than the first. The service was attentive without being obtrusive, and the food was a feast for the eyes as well as the tum tum. Yum.

Deconstructed tuna ravioli with avocado cream.

Duck a l’orange, with a twist.

The Help: Featuring the wonderful Emma Stone ala Easy A. While I thought the movie was incredibly thought provoking, set right before the Civil Rights Movement really took off, it somehow left me wanting more.



I thought the performances by the principal cast were really dignified, particularly Viola Davis as Aibileen, but the script for me, got a little schmaltzy in parts. I was aching for a bit more depth. All is all, still a great movie. 3 and ½ out of 5.

New discovery

Hello world!

Quick update. Have been obsessively listening to lovely NZ singer Kimbra. Being the dag that I am, I have just caught onto her beautiful music. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHV04eSGzAA

I looove her style!!

xx Rose

Guess who’s coming for dinner?

Hello world!

Although life’s been a little ho hum of late, mainly due to suffering from some pretty mind blowing migraines, a fresh stack utility bills and the arrival of an old friend- the chin pimple, I promise I won’t let it dampen my spirits.  

How can I? When I'm surrounded by this:

 

 

As some of you may remember, in my very first post I gave a rather unflattering view of my backyard. Given I didn’t actually post any photos, here’s the actual ‘view’:

 

Like I said earlier, dirt track masquerading as a backyard.

So why am I talking about my backyard exactly? Well what could be more interesting. No really there is a point to this. You see, since my home is the size of a shoe box , the multipurpose room that quadruples as my dining room (the others being lounge/study/ playroom) barely allows for any form of entertaining.  

Sure I’ve had friends around, and they’ve all been very gracious re the lack of facilities, but there's only so many times you can serve dinner on people’s laps. Nothing says elegance like balancing cutlery on your knees...

Anyway the Husband and I decided the cheapest way to remedy this odious form of entertaining is to extend the multipurpose room to include a conservatory/dining room. This dining space will hopefully cater to more than three people and possibly even allow us to serve food on flat surfaces. Here's hoping.

Anyway all this talk of dining rooms got me thinking about ultimate dinner party guests. It's not that I don’t consider my friends and family as fabulous company, but really if you could have anyone, and I mean ANYONE (dead or alive) who would they be?

Since I’ve had plenty of time to think about this, having been off sick from work this week, I think I’ve whittled the list down to my top five:

1.  Jane Austen - it is a truth universally acknowledged that a woman in possession of a dining room must be in want of guests!

2.  Michelangelo- having studied some of his work, while “helping” the Husband write  his architecture history essays, all I can say is “WOWZA”. Fancy a glimpse into the mind of a genius.  

3.  Mahatma Gandhi- my idea of courage and kindness personified.

4.  Elie Weisel- Holocaust survivor and author of one of the most powerful books I have ever read 'Night’.

5.  Oprah Winfrey- yeah yeah she’s an attention seeking bleep bleep. Each to their own eh? For me, she’s a phenomenal woman who’s overcome obstacles which I can’t even begin to fathom.  Plus I find her incredibly charismatic and I reckon she’d be a great raconteur.  

So over to you, ultimate dinner party guests? Until next time...Rose.

Bird Bargains (cheep cheep)

Bunting for Little Rose's room. Cotton on Kids.

Before, old jam jar. Now, lovely vase.

El Cheapo notebooks from Typo, 2 for $10! 

Guilty Pleasures

Ok I know I've been complaining about a lack of funds and I have no need for a firescreen, a wheel, or a vintage suitcase but that's why it's called guilty pleasures...

 

Cute sticker on the fire screen.

Cinema Update

Horrible Bosses: While I love Jason Bateman (from one of my all time fave TV shows, Arrested Development) who stars in the movie, I went in with really low expectations. I mean the drivel that’s been coming out of Hollywood by way of comedies literally makes me want to stick pins in my eyes. Ok not literally, but really the movies are soooo bad.

As such, I must admit I was pleasantly surprised by this one. There were some genuinely funny moments. The humour I found similar to The Hangover but way less sinister, despite the premise -three blokes trying to kill their horrible bosses! Great movie to see with the other half. 3/5!

    

  

What's new pussycat?

Hello world!

Now that spring's nearly here I finally feel like I have a spring in my step. 

 

The blossoms are out!

Even though Australia is often marketed as the land of the sun, surf and buxom babes, Canberra is renowned for its cold, crisp climate. By Australian standards, the unusually chilly winters around here allows for the wearing of snuggly winter coats, lounging around elegant fireplaces (or in my case, in front of my ever so stylish gas heater) and sipping warm liquidy drinks in an ever expanding cafe market.

Speaking of cafes, I just checked out a newbie in Garema Place. It’s called... you guessed it, ‘Garema Cafe’. While I haven’t tried the food, it’s a nice enough place to sit around, drink coffee and write mee blog!

I'm really hoping these smaller establishments continue to pop up in our city, ala Melbourne.

Anyway, back to Canberra's wonderous winter, usually when it comes- a- knockin, I find myself doing a little jig, splashing out on a new coat and revelling in all its icy glory.....but this year? mmm not so much. Instead, I’ve faced every blessed day with a fear akin to those suffering from ‘winteraphobia’ (that may not be the technical term but it’s a real condition, look it up). Basically, I just wanted it all to just go away. Far, far away.

I’m not entirely sure what caused this sudden change of mood, but I’m really hoping it’s a temporary blip which I grow out of by um...next year.

Anyway, to fight off my general state of ‘miserableness’ I started planning some pretty major changes in my life. I can't say too much at this stage in case the proverbial hits the fan, but I'm really hoping a change in career, possibly through a stint at uni (mature age student, yeah baby) and an upcoming holiday to Europe and America will change my fortunes. More on the holiday later!

So other than wallowing in my wintery blues what else have I been up to?? Why shop, watch movies and eat, of course!

As you may have now gathered, I’m a bit of a sucker for new stuff, not 'new' new stuff, but you know what I mean. HOWEVER, since I entered the self awareness phase that is my late 20’s, I've had to take a good hard look at my shopping habits, and let me tell you, it ain’t pretty. There was a time, particularly after I finished uni and got my first real job, that come pay day (which for the public service is Thursday), I would literally leave the office as soon as etiquette allowed, run to the nearest department store and buy the first thing that caught my eye. It didn’t really matter what it was, I just wanted that rush of buying something pristinely packaged and knowing that it was mine to keep FOREVER. It was a shopatragedy really.     

So while I don't think I'll ever curb my habit entirely, I'm now buying things that are much more meaningful to me, and if it happens to be vintage/hand me down/fair trade stuff  that actually helps a cause or two, then hot diggity, that’s even better..

So on that note, here's what I’ve spent my hard earned cash on these last few weeks:

Yet another tea pot!

Post war (1940-50s) Arnotts biscuit tin.Husband loves this.

Cinema and Culinary Update

Jane Eyre: OMG, watched this with Miss E and just wanted to dive into the screen and fall into the arms of Mr Rochester (Michael Fassbender). It was languid, subtle, and oh so beautiful. The mise en scene (a term I learnt in film class!) literally made me weep with desire. It was so so beautiful. Plus, I think I have a crush on our very own Canberra girl, Mia Wasikowska, who plays Jane. Loved it, loved it, loved it 4/5!

The "delicious" fried ice cream

 I still love ya!

Ok so I tried fried ice cream once when I was very little, I can’t  really remember the taste, so when the fam and I headed out to our favourite family restaurant, the institution that is Sammy’s Kitchen, I thought I’d give it another crack. How bad could it be right? Yeah pretty bad. I had one mouthful and almost choked on the curiously crusty yet doughy coating covering the ice cream. Yep definitely one that should have been left in the memory bank. Till next time...Rose.xx

Any time's good for a spring clean

Hello world!

While this weeks post is a little short and likely to be disjointed, I'm hoping the pearls of wisdom I am about to bestow upon you all will make it worthwhile. Earlier last month, a lovely commentator- Miss F, asked for some advice on storage solutions. By simply asking for said solutions, she sent a timely reminder to me about my own needs for storage.

You see from my experience, part of developing good storage involves regularly reviewing and purging ones household goods. So for the last week and a half, while in the process of purging my ever expanding mound of 'crap', I decided to indulge in a good ole spring clean.  I realise I may be one of perhaps 400 people in the world who would describe a spring clean as 'indulgent', but there it is. Sorry, what's that you say? "but it's not even spring!!". Ahh my dears, therein lies the pearl of wisdom. For you see, any time's good for a spring clean.

In fact, I recommend a spring clean at least two to three times a year, if not more. On the surface it can seem incredibly tedious and dead boring, but I promise the satisfaction you get once it's over is second to none. And by none, I mean winning the lottery, discovering the fountain of youth and world peace.
So my top tips for implementing good storage solutions are:

• cleansing (that's right I said "cleansing") storage spaces at much as you can
• adding free standing drawers and tallboys in fitted cupboards

• categorizing summer and winter wardrobes ( especially in Canberra where there is a distinct difference) and putting away your non seasonal clothes in suitcases/or other storage
• using alternate forms of storage, for example, my husband found this IKEA shoe cabinet which now houses his massive collection of cables and DVD's.

Children's rooms can also be a nightmare to keep in order. I've found with little Rose, the only way to stop her room looking like it's been hit by a tsunami is to throw in as many deep drawers and containers possible. That way at least, the clothes can be shoved into tallboys, books can be hurled into bedside tables, and the 17,565 crayola pens can be chucked into neatly contained boxes.

So my fellow Internet surfers I hope I've inspired you all to get a spot of spring cleaning in your life. It really is surprisingly therapeutic. Trust me I'm not insane, really. Until next time...Rose.

 Bird Bargains (as in "cheep" "cheep")

Velvet cushion 'cushioned' with rhinestones. Originally $70 at Myer, bought for $30. Score!!

Guilty Pleasures

None to report this week, although I came this close (imagine a tiny space between your thumb and forefinger) to buying a pair of carrot pants. And by carrot pants I mean voluminous up the top, tapered at the bottom. The reason I didn't buy them was because I couldn't decide whether they made my waist look reeeaaallly small or my bottom look reeeealllly huge. Hmm food for thought, but if I'm to buy said pants, clearly not for consumption.

Cinema and Culinary Update

Rise of the Planet of the Apes- Although the film has received mixed reviews, and I must admit I found it at times, incredibly dark and menacing, the CGI was amazing and the role of 'Ceaser the ape', played by Andy Serkis, was a marvel in motion capture technology. 3 1/2 out of 5. Check me out, David Stratton eat your heart out!

The most delicious chook I've ever consumed. Courtesy of the thorn in my rose (or in other terms -the husband...jokes). 

 


Disclaimer. I'd like to apologise for using the word 'crap' in the above post, however it's the only way to describe some of the items I discovered during my spring clean : a 500 pack of bobby pins (seriously) a charming collection of mouldy old mascaras and virtually mountains of mismatched socks. Thank goodness for hindsight.

   

Coming soon!

Hello world!

Just wanted to let you all know I have not dissapeared off the face of the www
(can't be bothered to spell out the acronym but somehow can be bothered to write 'can't be bothered'...no one said I wasn't nuts).

Am writing a new post as we speak and hope to upload this weekend. I've gone a bit mad on the garage sale, op shop front as well so can't wait to share.

BTW how miserable is the weather in Canberra this week? Not cool at all. Arctic like temperatures be gone!

Talk soon, Rose. xx

From Heels to Eternity

Hello world!

Sorry it's taken me a little while to upload the necessary sequel post.

It's been a mad week, with the onset of a new school term, little Rose's impending Birthday and my ongoing battle with the arctic like temperatures of 'sunny' Canberra.

Continuing with the aesthetical (I'm not sure if that's not a word but stay with me) theme from my last post, this week I want to share my obsession, or lack thereof, with high heel shoes. You see I come from a tribe of high heel wearers.

My mother and sister have always worn high heels and have a collection to rival Imelda Marcos. Well certainly one to make her proud.


A selection of Mother and Sister Rose's favourite heels
Even little Rose rocked her first pair when she was 2 years old. And before you start getting lurid visions of American style baby beauty queens, no I did not let her out of the house, and yes they were the plastic kind from Big W. So given my bloodline you'd expect I'd be cut from the same cloth right? WRONG.

For reasons probably only known to Freudian therapists, I have never understood womens affinity with high heels. Maybe it's the whole woman/child thing (as in I still don't feel 'grown up' enough to wear high heels) but something about the whole exercise screams "woman torture".

I mean really, fancy walking around in a contraption that places your feet at a 90 degree angle and causes ghastly blemishes like bunions and blisters. Well fancy you do it seems.

Anecdotal evidence (meaning a quick whip around the family and the office) indicates I am clearly in the minority. Most women I know, including said mother and sister adore high heels. As my by-line says I am a lover of fashion and can certainly understand the pleasing aesthetic of a high heel. Just don't try to get my foot into one.

In fact, I am so much of an outsider in my family that once I actually lied to my mother about what shoes I was wearing to an engagement party. I walked out of the house seemingly wearing my beautiful cream Molliny pumps (which I've worn a total of three times in the last four years), but as soon as I got in the car, I promptly threw them in the back and changed into (in my view) my far superior and much more comfortable Witchery flats.

So while the rest of the ladies at the party trotted along in their elongated heels and waited for the inevitable pain that comes with combining heels, dancing and drinking, I boogied the night away, a foot shorter than everyone else but happy knowing I'd be 'foot loose and pain free' the next day.
 
So over to you, are you a high heels kinda girl/ or do you infinitely prefer the comfort of flats?

And for you blokes out there (I highly doubt there any blokes reading my posts you never know) do you prefer your ladies in heels or flats or do ya just want us to stop asking whether our bum looks big and get back to playing Angry Birds?

 

I may not covet high heels but scarves are another matter entirely.... 

Couture and Culinary update

Lovely handmade earrings (present from Miss E)

Delicious cupcake from Cherry Seed, Gold Creek Village

Putting the 'heart in my home'

Hello world!

So this is it, my very first entry (figuratively and literally) into the blogosphere!

I hope for those of you kind enough to read this, that my blog provides not only an insight into the inner workings of my brain (which to be honest can be slightly chaotic and mad!) but also a place where you can be inspired, entertained and "informed" (I use inverted commas because I guarantee there will be no fact checking). In return, I hope you join  the conversation and provide me with your words of wisdom (or tips of how to fold a fitted sheet, seriously how are you meant to fold fabric with elasticised/rounded corners?). 

Warning: the following entry contains a disproportionate amount of inverted commas.

So I have been living in my "new" house for almost two years, it's the first piece of real estate I have ever owned(rather the bank owns it in my name until I can pay it off, which by the way things are going should be in the next millenium) and I love it.

It's basically a shoe box in the middle of nowhere with features including, but not limited to, a dirt track masquerading as a backyard, three modest sized bedrooms, a combined lounge/dining/family room/study and a disproportionately large kitchen.

While it may not be a quaint terrace house in Potts Point or a villa in Tuscany, it is mine and it had allowed me to indulge in my love of interior design. Maybe it's a sign of maturity or (madness!) but these days I would much rather hunt through garage sales, antiques dealers or even IKEA than hit the clubs.

Design inspirations

That's not to say I've ever been much of a 'hitting the clubs' kinda gal. Rather, the only hitting I've been doing for the last six years (since the birth of my child) has been on the pillow, searching for that miracle of all miracles...uninterrupted sleep. Oh when will you serenade me again with your sweet sweet sounds of unabashed snoring...

So anyway, before I completely digress, I have slowly been adding decorating touches to my house to make it feel like my 'home'. As they say 'home is where the heart is' right?

When I first got married and started a family it was all about practicality, and for those who know me, practicality and I were never best friends. So we were looking for furniture that was 'washable' and 'durable' and 'stain removable' and well... down right depressing. Don't get me wrong, I tried to make it work by buying big sturdy furniture in dark earthy tones. I thought I could manage being practical/sensible while pleasing my aesthetic loving heart, however it just wasn't...me.

Anyway I've always been a bit of a 'Francophile' and loved the thought of mixing

french provincial furniture with contemporary pieces in creamy soft hues. Fortunately for me, my husband, who has always had a creative eye, decided to join me on my quest for decorating salvation and did not object to clearing out our entire house and starting from scratch.

A snapshot of the current living room

 Lovely hand made tea pot (purchased last weekend)

 Vintage cabinet (displaying above tea pot)

 

Along this journey there have been many ups and plenty of downs (like the time we broke our newly bought sofa while driving out of the store car park- who puts beams low enough to hit furniture on the back of a ute anyway?) but it's been worth every penny . Since my home is a work is progress, any tips on decorating suppliers/retailers/inspiration is most welcome. My friend, Miss E, recommended the following website http://www.etsy.com/. It has a fantastic array of handmade and vintage items.I'm hoping to pick up a few goodies come 'Happy Pay Day'. Until next time...Rose.