I bought a zoo...I mean a sofa!

Hello world!

Just wanted to report what a lovely weekend I've just had. Even though it was a relatively short long weekend (stay with me) as in only one extra day off, I had just enough leisure time, combined with fun outings as to render me very very satisfied.

I also bought some stuff, some much needed, other's catering to my horrible shopping addiction, like the cardi below, courtesy of Aussie discount store, Big W.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but I love Big W knits. Seriously, for a fraction of the price of high street labels, you get really good quality, comfortable knits. I paired my new purchase with my favourite polka dot dress from my trip to London last year, thanks Topshop!

See, my love for polka dots also extends to my wardrobe.

Since Lily has recently moved out of our parents’ home (which I'm sure she'll be reporting on soon, right Lilz?!) we thought it only fair (and kinda convinient) to off load some of our old furniture, including my beloved Ikea (Ektorp) two seater which previously sat in our study/den.

But, in its place now sits this super funky 1950's vinyl sofa, purchased by the Husband. 

Even though it's not something I would normally jump on (I mean this is a metaphorical sense unlike Tom Cruise), it looks wonderful our home. As I've said in the past, your home is where your heart is, and I think it should be a reflection of you.

So the Husband, who cites Frank Lloyd Wright as one of his architectural hero's and loves furniture from his era, is chuffed to have this sitting proudly in our home.  

For those in Aus, hope you're all enjoying your short week, and for those sitting in faraway lands, sending good vibes for the one ahead. Until next time...Rose. xx

An Ocean of talent

Hello world!

A quick one today. I've been meaning to shout out to Frank Ocean for a while.

I have to admit, it took me a while to get into his music, having only heard snippets of his first album Nostalgia Ultra, but the Husband, who has been a true believer from the beginning insisted I listen to the track Pyramids from his latest record Channel Orange and as they say...the rest is history.

Seriously, what a revelation!



I truly believe Frank heralds a new era in R&B and Hip Hop, which had taken a turn for the worst over the last decade with records filled with sleazy, crass, lyrics played to the loop of inane auto tuned vocals.

But Frank is like, the antithesis of all that. 

While his first album Nostalgia Ultra is awesome, Channel Orange leaves it for dead. Engaging, witty and insightful lyrics, intertwined with smooth vocals and killer tunes, the album is simply sublime. 

My favourite song Super Rich Kids, which features a sample of Elton John's Benny and the Jets is genius, exploring the hollowness and superficiality of material life.

It's my favourite record of 2012, check it out, you won't be sorry!

DYI dreams

Hello world!

Inspired by my darling friend M (who is a prolific DIY'er) and MacGyver I have started my first ever DIY project.

I bought these chairs, featured here years ago and had always planned to revive them with a bit of colour.

It's still a work in progress as you can see by the uneven paint job, but after trying various colour combos (all white, all red, green and white etc) I've finally settled on white with dinky red arms.

We've also added more colour to our deck thanks to a vertical garden created by my very own husband. He's a bit clever I have to admit. All courtesy of a few planks of wood, a drill, some terracotta pots and wire!

My next DIY gig is wallpapering Little Rose's room. I love Cath Kidston patterns, but not the prices! so I'm thinking something like the stripes below.

Check out another of my creative friends recent dinner spread, complete with tissue paper pom poms and self dyed crochet tablecloth:

Even though I've been scared of DIY for years, it's amazing what you can do with a lick of paint and some imagination!

It may not be perfect (ever in my case) but at least it's a reflection of you!

Happy DYI'ing.

Until next time...Rose. xx

Back to reality

Hello world,

As Eminem once said...it's back to reality (ohp that goes gravity) for Da Rose. It's my first five day week at work after Christmas and let me tell ya, it ain’t pretty.

While being a work isn’t always super fun, my spirits are definitely kept alive through my weekly ritual of arranging fresh flowers for the house.

My friend, M, who is also a blogger (check out here:)  has the most amazing garden. Plus, as she lives literally down the road, I’m always popping over to drink in the deliciousness of  it.

Luckily for me, her garden, along with a myriad of other plantation, houses sweet clumps of my favourite flower, the hydrangea. Here they are sitting in my first ever teapot (one of many in my ever expanding collection).

On the Radio

Other spirit lifters for me this week, include the awesome British band, Everything Everything. Their album Arc is currently the feature album on Aussie Radio Station Triple J, and I’m loving listening to their sweet tunes on the way to, and from work this week.

There’s something so wonderful about discovering new music, or in this case, seeing a band who you’ve admired for a while, come into other people’s consciousness.

Everything Everything



This brings me to my resolution of  indulging in as much music and cinema as I can this year.

At the movies

Next on the reel is Katherine Brigalow’s, Zero Dark Thirty. I was, pardon the pun, blown away by her last (Oscar winning) movie The Hurt Locker, so am super excited to catch it when it comes out end of this month. I'm also hoping to see it at Canberra's newest premium cinema, the Palace Electric.

The Palace, located in the uber cool Nishi building in New Acton, will offer a range of cinema, including hopefully excellent, independent, arthouse and world films It is also hosting the Canberra Italian Film Festival, which I am super excited about. Check out info on the Palace and the Italian Film Festival here.

Well that’s all for now folks!

Until next time…Rose. xx

Much ado about nothing #3

Hello world!

Welcome to 2013! I hope you all rang in the New Year with fun, frivolity and panache!

My NYE celebrations included a quick trip to the city to watch the 'family' fireworks (at 9:00 pm) and then safely tucking myself in bed, to watch Kylie Minogue ring in the New Year by setting off the giant fireworks in Sydney, on the telly, and then promptly falling asleep. So, seriously rock n roll stuff.

Anyhoo, now that we're well and truly in 2013, I plan to set the agenda early and repeat weekends like the one I just had.

Yesterday I caught up with my fave Laughing Ladies: Teak, JJ, and Miss A for a spot of lunch at Mocan (pronounced Mochchan) and Green Grout, aka the new Canberra hip(ster) spot (see more info on M&GG here) and then proceeded to cry me a river, watching the much anticipated screen adaptation of the musical, Les Miserables.

Firstly the food. I've been hearing about Mocan and Greet Grout for a while now, with many a Canberran hailing this joint as a truly unique establishment. The visuals of the restaurant are very beautiful, with hanging potted plants, recycled timber walls, exposed light bulbs and vases filled with fresh flowers.

The food and coffee were also outstanding, with lovely combinations of light summer flavours, like the smoked trout, asparagus and fluffed egg dish which I devoured.

My only gripe is the lack of weather control. With Canberra experiencing 38+ degree summers, the fact that the joint had no cooling arrangements, for me, really detracted from the experience. I will be back no doubt, but most likely on a much cooler day!

As for Le Mis. Well what can I say, just go watch it for Anne Hathaway alone. She is magnificent as the tragic and fragile, Fantine. The story, set against the backdrop of the continuing French Revolution speaks of many universal themes, like, redemption, love, courage and mistaken values.

The direction by Tom Hooper clearly brought out the best in many of his principle cast, including the wonderful Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean. However, I agree with many film critics, in that while it is an epic story, it needn’t be as laborious and heavy handed in its messaging as it was in the film. I do however, disagree with other critics who said the songs should have been pre-recorded. I think the live singing brought an emotional depth to the scenes which pre-recordings may have missed. See the opening scene of Hugh Jackman for proof.

Overall though, I loved it for staying true to the operatic form of the musical, with almost all dialogue delivered in song. It was visually beautiful, as was Hooper's Oscar winning movie The Kings Speech. I was contemplating 3 and 1/2 out of five, but I'm going to bump it up to 4/5 for Anne Hathaway, who continues to haunt me with her Fantine. Go dream the dream!

Until next time...Rose. xx