At the talkies

Hello world!

Well I’mma get straight to the point.

As a fully-fledged movie nerd, this is MY time of the year. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before, but me loooove da movies.

And because of this, I also like seeing the ones I admire recognised at glitzy award ceremonies, which sometimes are hosted  by brilliant, satirical, intelligent hosts (Amy Poehler and Tine Fey, I'm looking at you) while others are ushered by a sexist, humourless, tasteless excuse of a comedian (Seth Macfarlane, I’m givin you the stink eye).

Which brings me to my take of the recently completed 2013 Academy Awards.

I gotta say, I was super bummed to see Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty) lose out to Jennifer Lawrence for Best Actress for Silver Linings Playbook.

Don’t get me wrong, I recommend you watch both movies, as I thought J Law was really fantastic in SLP.

The movie, which centres around the love story of two people struggling with mental illness, is beautifully told. It’s funny, quirky, and kinda in your face, and even though it has its fair share of flaws, it features fantastic performances from the entire cast (who knew Bradley Cooper could act eh?) and is filled with heart. I happily give it 4/5.

So having praised it to the hilt, why am I bummed that J Law won over J Chas?

Um cuz J Chas is like the next Meryl Streep. I’m putting it out there guys, she is like seriously amazeballs.

Based on the real life 10 year hunt for Osama Bin Laden, Zero Dark Thirty centres on the female CIA agent (Chastain) who essentially, through meticulous research, tenacity, and let’s be honest, some pretty brutal interrogation methods, manages to find and initiate the capture of the most dangerous person on earth.

The movie, brilliantly directed by Kathryn Bigelow (seriously, how she missed the Oscar nom is beyond me) is nuanced, suspenseful and just plain smart.

It’s so rare for Hollywood to release movies where messages aren’t spoon fed to an audience. Like Bigelows The Hurt Locker, there’s no long winded sequences which explain the plot, nor are there conversations on the audacity of war.

Instead, you as the audience are left to decide the meaning of the film, which is like super unconventional, esp for Hollywood.

I could seriously go on and on and on about this film, but basically I give it 5/5. Seriously, go watch it NOW!

I also watched the two of the other Best Picture nominees, the visually awe inspiring Life of Pi, and the disappointing Django Unchained.

Tarantino’s movies are always a visual spectacle, with their overt violence and exaggerated plot lines. But what makes them usually so fantastic is that along with the visual feast, he creates characters, who despite enacting heinous violence, have a story and a soul.

Unfortunately, that’s just not the case in Django, despite the emotive backdrop of American slavery and Django’s quest for justice.

Plus, even though Christoph Waltz was amazing, and truly deserving of the Best Supporting Actor, for me, Jamie Fox’s uneven performance, and Tarantino’s original, but indulgent screenplay left me feeling totally ‘meh’. For those reasons, I’m stretching to give it 3/5. 

Pi was just beautiful, and confirms why Ang Lee remains one of my all-time favourite directors. I fell in love with him after watching Sense and Sensibility and Crouching Tiger, so a well-deserved Oscar for this mercurial, genius of a man.

My next movie on the list is the other Oscar nom, Beasts of the Southern Wild. As most of you prolly know by now, the star of the movie, 9 year old Quvenzhane Wallis became the youngest nominee for Best Actress this year, and having already cried while watching the trailer of the movie, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Doesn't this image make your heart sing?!

Plus Miss JJ, Teak and Miss A and I are also catching the 2013 Alliance Française French Film Festival later next month. As lovers of France, films and food, we’re super excited to combine all next month. Will of course post on our adventures as it happens. See more info on the Festival here.

Poor Lilz is still without the interweb at her new home, so not sure when we’re going to hear from her. As for me, I’ll catch ya ASAP.

Until next time…Rose. xx

A hairy situation

Hello world!

Quick Monday wrap up, slash, whinge session about the bigger things in life, my hair.

Basically, I am really hatin on it at the mo. It's not a new sensation as I tend to experience this hair angst at least twice a year.

Normally, it results in either talking myself out of doing anything crazy, and sticking to a trim and conditioning session...or losing my mind and chopping it off.

As I have amazingly fast growing hair, I have literally gone from elbow to chin length hair at least three times since 2008, and I think I'm going to do it again.

And before you ask, of course I have a celebrity hair cut in mind, which I will of course show to my hairdresser, who will no doubt tell me that it's impossible, and I will insist she does it anyway, then it will end up looking horrible and I'll end up in tears.

So basically it's on. Wish me luck!



Until next time...Rose. xx

Flowers on the wall

Hello world!

This week’s post is all about flowers, both literal and metaphorical.

I love flowers, I like them in the garden, freshly cut in a vase, I like them on fabric, and I like being one.




Cue screech to a halt noise. Say what?? She likes 'being' a flower, lady be cray cray.

What I mean in my own weird way is that I like being a wallflower.

Wikipedia defines wallflowers as people who are inherently shy but once you get to know them, they are like the definition of awesome...

And even though many people, including some of my closest friends are still shocked by my admission of wallflowerness, it's how I've always rolled.

Like I said, it's not like I'm a total anti-social pariah or something, it's just I'd much rather stand back against the wall and observe people than be the female incarnation of Redfoo, know what I mean?

Anyway, all this talk of walls has reminded me that I recently papered one. You know so that I could stand against it, being a wallflower and all.

 The Husband doing the leg work.

 The result.

Even though I have no segway, here's some snapshots of my Birthday.



I gots me a coffee machine from super store Aldi. Now I get cafe quality coffee right at home and get to be even more manic. Yaya!

The Husband took me to the Nishi building at New Acton. Check out the amazing wooden frame that envelops most of the multi story building. It's so post modern and awesome, I really love it.

 We also went to Lonsdale Street Traders, a unique warehouse space that houses a whole range of groovy pop up stores.

 Cute vintage clothing store Hipsley Lane  is one of the many groovy stores in the Traders. I would have bought a dress had I been able to try one on. It was 38 degrees (again) and none of the stores had air conditioning. Stinkin summer!

  
On that happy note, I'mma say Sayonara.

Until next time...Rose. xx

Much ado about nothing #4

Hello world!

Firstly, no photos this week, cuz I'm working off my tablet and the uploady thingie sucks.

Well what a week it's been. I've had a totally crazy, but incredbly satisfying week at work.

Even though work can sometimes be a total drag, I do actually get to do some pretty kool stuff.

I work in a policy area that focusses on young people, and this week I got to meet some amazing examples from rural and regional Australia (check out their stories on the ABC's Heywire website) and the 2013 Young Australian of the Year, Akram Azimi, who is like a social justice warrior, slash, poet, slash, ball of awesomeness.

Plus, I got to hang out at Parliament House and score free food all week, so yeah, it was the shiz.

Oh and the other thing, I turned 29...which I am like totally kool about...:-S

Ok it's not that bad, and before any of you get all "age is just a number, you're only as old as you feel" my freakout isn't so much about the number, as it is about what lies ahead.

I know I said in my earlier posts that I would  learn to 'chill', but dammit I still like to plan!

It's really hard to go with da flow when you're a born control freak. But whatevs.

I'm not going to turn vegetarian and save the world before I turn the big 3-0 but it would be good to accomplish something (anything!!!) in what is officially, according to the Commonwealth definition, my last year of youth.

So, with that sobering statement, I bid you adieu. I will post on actual happenings next week, and Lilz has promised to post on her move as soon as she secures the net in her pad!

Until next time..Rose. xx

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