Black/ Gray Wednesday

Black and gray.... What can I say? I feel like all I need to do is poke my camera out my bedroom window and the photographic task will be done. But that's pretty boring, right? So instead here're some much more interesting pics:I took this at the Christchurch Art Gallery in New Zealand and then played with it using Ofoto (now Kodak Gallery)'s options. I think it was the first time I'd used them (way before I discovered I somehow had Photoshop Elements on my laptop) and I was so pleased with the result I have a copy of this framed and an my bedroom wall (see bottom picture here). I have no idea who the person in the photo is but I like the way the angle of her leg mimics the angles of the window struts. This was a snap I took of the floor in the attic of Gaudi's Casa Batllo in Barcelona. What I found particularly interesting was this building was built at the turn of last century and yet the tiles are more what we'd consider 1960s or 70s. I doubt very much the tiles are a later addition as they surely would have ripped them out when renovating the attic for display? No matter, I still love them and think they'd look pretty cool in my (imaginary future) kitchen if I ever change my mind about my other two choices: black and white check lino or terrazo.
Here's another picture I ended up framing - a spot of grafitti I stumbled across in Venice, Italy. I think it's hilarious that even the grafitti in Italy is stylish!
More recently, these are the front steps at Mies Van Der Rohe's Crown Hall at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, USAAnd the view from my wine glass!A gift from a colleague at work who visited CanadaAnd finally a close up of the box I use to keep my burner oils and candles in. Note the multitude of mes!

(Best thing to listen to while looking at these? Black's Wonderful Life, of course!)

Brown Tuesday

Am I allowed to go with the whole Here's one I prepared earlier route? Excellent!

(OK OK I'm completely ignoring the one photo edict. One?! You've got to be kidding (unless you're on dial up) )Casa Batllo, Barcelona, SpainSt Paul de Vence, FranceFlorence, Italy Pompeii, Italy New York, USA Barcelona, Spain Chifley, ACT, Australia New York, USA Barcelona, Spain

(Listening: I'd love to say Golden Brown by The Strangers cause it would work so well with today's theme but I actually don't own it on CD and besides it's too early in the morning to be playing music)

Colo(u)r Week: White Monday

I need a blog project and Little Birds' Color Week seems to be just the ticket - not too long, or complicated and the list of colours isn't too daunting for a monochromaticist like me (was that another word I made up?)

Of course, being a public holiday today I sort of lost track of the fact it is Monday until a couple of minutes ago. So here are three photos of white around my house... And a couple of older pictures from outside of my house:Guggenheim Museum, New York Casa Batllo, Barcelona

(Listening to: White Spaces featuring Jim Kerr, Don't you forget about me)

You're invited to a House Swarming!

The renovations took longer than we expected (don't they always?) but the downstairs at least is now ship shape and ready for guests (as you can see we're still waiting on delivery of the perfect ceiling lights but we'll cope in the meantime).It really is the perfect space for a party with lots of places to sit.

Doesn't the bar look inviting? And it fits perfectly next to the stairs. We were so pleased.Grab a stool and help yourself to nuts or chips while I pour you a drink. Or two!Once you're done you might want to wander over to the corner sofa and lounge back, chill out and listen to the groovy music.

Can't wait to see you!

Con Brio

Have you been wondering why there's been no mention of the Brio dolls house I lugged across America with me (last spotted in its box here)?

This is why:

It had a few whoopsies on the way home and I'd set it aside until I had some time to mend it and clean it. And a wet Sunday morning seemed to be the perfect time to start sorting it out.I needed to put the doors to rights and reglue the walls...reattach the chimney and the stairs and make it look like someone cares.(Yes that is a jar of Dolmio - I needed a weight to glue the bathroom back in...)Here's a sneak peek of the after kitchen - with a floor that has been cleaned possibly for the first time in its 35 year life! Fridge, sink, tables and chairs are all Brio with accessories from all over the place but about right in age to fit the era of the house.

And next door, the bathroom with all original Brio bathroom fittings which were the only pieces to come with the house.What makes me particularly excited is the bath is complete with plug and shower hose (which doesn't happen very often as they are usually lost in play or removed by parents concerned with safety)(Want to learn more? Check out these sites:

Elizabeth's Svenska dockhus (Click on Museum then Brio)

My old dollhouses has some lovely photos of old Scandinavian dolls houses packed with furniture and occupants. (Navigate through the tabs at the top marked Side 1 etc)

Carola's site is a bit of a mess to navigate round but worth a visit

And for brand new modern Lundby houses and furniture check out the Australia Lundby site)

(Listening to: Skallander, The Camels)

Recipe for a perfect Saturday night.

Take one measure of rain.

Add 1 Muppet Show DVD, one Charles and Ray Eames boxed set.

Mix with one almost completed Sophie bag and most of one bottle of red wine.

Remove ponderings on why Eames' Kaleidoscope Jazz Chair reminds you so much of Vision On (which you hadn't realised you even remembered!) and urges to add Toccata for Toy Trains as one of your fave films of all time.

Dust with sour cream and chive rice crackers, the realisation that you still have Kitkats in the cupboard, the latest US Vogue, and enjoy....

Second Hand Saturday

Planned budget: $20.

Vinnies Phillip:Black Paddington Coat Factory coat (70% wool, 20% nylon, 10% cashmere): $15
Red 100% wool v neck cardigan: $6
Two large and two smaller matching glass jars with lids: $4 total.(Oopsie, over budget on the first stop....)

Salvos Phillip: Nothing. Phew!

Smith Family Woden:White milk jug $1.25 (they were having a 1/2 price off all bric a brac sale). Country Road lidded sugar bowl: $2.

1 ball black and silver fuzzy yarn (see next photo): $1.

Vinnies Curtin:Brand new with tag Transversion Chrissy bag: $1

Red plastic cup to use as a scoop in Nibbs' new Whiskette container: 20 cents

Piece of blue denim fabric (see previous photo): $2.

Vinnies Belconnen: Nothing (that's a bit of a shock, actually)

Salvos Belconnen: 10 Anne McCaffrey books: $6.50 in total.

Not pictured because I was heading to Booklore secondhand book store with a box of books I wanted to sell so added them in - and they gave me $20 for 7 of them (and didn't take any of my original box!).

Therefore total outlay:

$26.00
$ 4.25
$ 3.20
$ 6.50
$39.95
(less $20.00)

$19.95. Hurrah! Under budget after all!

(Listening to: Various: Recaffeinated black, No Sugar)

Getting in early

Yeah, OK, I know that Knit in Public Day is June 10th but I just had to have a little practice run this evening.

You see, it was Bunch of Fives night at The Street Theatre. And since I work just around the corner I needed to get there early to bags a table for everyone else. And what better way to pass the spare time than working on my Sophie Bag?

Except I sort of forgot to put it away when my friends arrived and the entertainment started. Oh well, no one yelled at me so it's all good. And I've discovered that circular knitting is so much more, well, discreet.....

So if I somehow forget to pull my knitting out during the course of tomorrow it doesn't really matter, does it? Although I'm off to deliver birthday cupcakes to the local scooter shop owner and think that might be a pretty cool place to get some knitting in while waiting for my short black to cool enough to drink. Molto buone!

(Listening to: Eddie Reader: Mirmama)

Oops...

There's a fantastic vintage clothing boutique in Dickson called Lily Haze*. I try to steer clear of it as it is a dangerous place. For my wallet, that is.

But sometimes, when I've been in town late and catch a less direct bus home I find myself wandering through Dickson and without being aware of what's happening I'm through the door and chatting to the lovely Jill while perusing all the wonderful pieces she has amassed.

Luckily (for my wallet) usually the clothing I fall in love with is the wrong size. Or out of my budget. But sometimes (like this evening) I find the perfect piece which fits like it was made for me and my wallet. Bugger!

Check out this vintage 60s jacket. It's vinyl but is as soft as leather (I had to double check the label once I'd tried it on). It fits perfectly. I love the red lining. And it was on the 50% rack (that's 50% off, not "you only get to take home 50% of the garment" just in case you're wondering).

It followed me home. If I promise to live on tuna and rice for the next week can I keep it?

(Listening to: Groove 4: Music you can dance naked to)

* No web presence, unfortunately but you can find it at Shop 6a, 71 Wooley Street, Dickson (in the corner of the courtyard across from Turk Oz). They're open Thursday - Sunday 11am - 7pm so you can pop in on your way to cocktails at Trinity.

Tagged!

How exciting - I've been tagged for a meme for the first time. It feels like a rite of passage as a blogger! (Thanks Pink Rocket)

A-Z Meme

Accent: Aussie/ Kiwi. I like to think I hide the Kiwi pretty well but when I'm tired or sick it slips back out. I've also been asked occasionally if I'm English and have a bad habit of picking up accents rather quickly when I travel...

Booze: Yes please! Red wine (and bubbles) in winter, white wine (and bubbles) in summer. Cocktails always (but not the creamy ones or ones with tequila in them. Not much of a beer drinker. Used to be a cider addict in New Zealand but that's slipped lately. Oh - and alcoholic ginger beer is rather scrummy, too...

Chore I hate: Gardening. And scrubbing floors.

Dogs/Cats: One frugalled 9 year old black and white cat called Nibbs. Obtained sort of by accident from the RSPCA but half price so a real bargain!

Essential Electronics: Stereo and laptop.

Favorite Perfume: L'Eau D'Issey. The only perfume I've worn since 1992.

Gold/Silver: definitely silver. Not that I'm big on jewelry.

Hometown: Depends on what you mean. Where was I born? Auckland, New Zealand. Where did I spend most of my time growing up? Wellington, New Zealand. Where is home? Canberra, Australia.

Insomnia: Only when I've drunk too much or am over excited.

Job title: (Very) small business owner and temporary Librarian

Living Arrangement: Usually by myself. Currently I have a friend staying for a couple of weeks.

Most Admired Trait: Oddly enough that's not a question I ask people I know. Feel free to leave comments to tell me what it is!

Number of sexual partners: No idea offhand and I can't be bothered sitting down to work it out. Besides it is a) irrelevant and b) rude to ask. Next question...

Overnight hospital stays: I had my achilles tendons lengthened when I was 6 and was in hospital then. Drove the nurses nuts because I refused to use the bedpan so they had to carry me and my two large plastered legs down the corridor to the toilet when I wanted to go. Did I mention I was drinking a lot of the fruit juice my parents were bringing in for me?

Phobias: Being out of control. Not too happy in very high buildings or traveling on the front or back carriage of trains either.

Quote: "Do not wish to be other than who you are, and try to be that perfectly"

Religion: Baptised Anglican. Definitely non practicing.

Siblings: 1 very cool sister, 5 years and 5 weeks younger.

Time I usually wake up: 5:45 am. I set the alarm for then just in case I wanted to get to a 6:15 am gym class. It hasn't happened yet.

Unusual Talent: I'm a bit of a tin bum.

Vegetable I refuse to eat: *Has a very long ponder* Marrow isn't too high on my list. I could live without Kohlrabi too.

Worst habit: People, I need your input here.....

X-rays: Do toothypegs count?

Yummy food I make: Everything I make is yummy! Why bother making something that isn't?!

Zodiac Sign: Gemini Gemini rising Firehorse. Yee Haa!

I tag Sew Thrifty and Mondo Viaggiatore (when she returns from overseas)

(Listening to: The New LoungeHead, Came a Weird Way)

The day in four letter words

Dark
Cold
Work
Nine
Five
Blah!

Alrighty!

Dear Lovely Blog Readers (yes, that means you).

You'll be pleased to learn that the bloggy (that's double G not double D) trip photos have all been loaded for your entertainment and edification.

Enjoy!

Home again home again jiggedy jig

Miss Daisy and I left Sydney very early yesterday morning to head home with Depeche Mode's remixes blaring on the CD walkman. We hit torrential rain about half an hour down the freeway which at least means I could cross wash car off my list of things to do when I got home but made the trip just a bit more tiring.

Being a good girl I headed into Goulburn (about 2 hours from Sydney and an hour from Canberra) to stop, revive and survive. And just happened to check out a few op shops while I was there. As you do...Cool 50s/60s tin: 50 cents. No idea what I'll do with it but I couldn't just leave it there could I?Stovetop espresso maker: $2. Need to find instructions for it. Also two retro tiles which may end up on the kitchen wall: 50 cents each. And more knitting needles: $1 a pair.Jar of black and white buttons: $2. Good thing Use What You Have Month is over for me!Two lots of vintage fabric 50 cents and 30 cents and a book on writing fiction for $2. All are destined for other people. And finally I found a brand new with tag pair of black and white polka dot PJs for $7.50. Chinese, so the top's a bit odd so I might just wear the pants with a T or I might get creative and change to top around. But since they're summer weight I've got a while to sort that out. No picture - they're in the wash....

Much refreshed I finally made it back to the depths of wintery cold and damp Canberra. Where the contents of the car exploded all over the lounge floorand I found this towering pile of mail waiting for me (not bad for three weeks, huh?!)I was in a quandary on which to unpack first so did the most interesting looking bits of mail before tackling the luggage.

First interesting looking bit of mail
From Jen over at Red Instead, an envelope full of goodies including two of her pieces of art (I love how she has stitched the pieces onto their backing - an idea I'd not thought of) plus a hand printed card. Coupons for a month's free trial of a DVD service, a couple of Lincraft patterns including a stripy jumper (a gal can never have too many black and white stripy jumpers, right?) and lastly some white rick rack (yay! my favorite thing at the moment) and some super wide binding. Thanks Jen!

Second interesting looking bit of mail
A birthday box from Pink Rocket who knew I wanted some freezer paper to try out the whole stenciling craze and filled the rest of the package with other yummy things. The really funny part is I was eyeing up the black versions of these plates at Walmart two weeks ago and humming and harring over whether to get them or not. Finally decided no as I was running badly out of room with two more weeks of travelling and amassing souvenirs in front of me. Good thing I didn't buy them, hey?

She also found a matching kitchen towel which I hadn't seen and if that wasn't enough excitement in one box she also included some black pleather and a couple of pieces of black and white fabric for me to create things from.

For someone I've never met, she sure has me nailed taste wise - and I promise to get the house swarming package in the mail as soon as I get paid!

The rest of the mail pile contained eBay purchases, magazines miscellaneous bills and crap. Nothing worth photographing. And the rest of the day was spent unpacking. Urgh...

So what's a girl to do on a free day in Sydney?

Go frugalling, of course!

I may have not slept in a bed for 33 hours by the time I hit the ground in Sydney but one must get one's priorities sorted out. And we all now that the worst thing to do when you've changed time zones is go to sleep at the wrong time. So I had a day to fill up with something not too taxing (in case I hit the wall mid afternoon) so a Vinnies crawl was the only choice really.

First stop was Chatswood on the north shore. Chatswood has two Vinnies, one small one near the station (two books: $3 total, 1 pair of children's denim pants with interesting flower designs destined to magically turn into... something! $1) and one larger two level one (with an excellent selection of good condition books) at the other end of Victoria Ave (8 books for a total of $25 and some funky pink 70s skirt material for a fellow blogger: $1)

I planned to visit the Crows Nest branch next but missed my stop and headed on to Mosman (red handbag: $5, double pointed needles: $2 for the lot and another book: $2) before doubling back to Neutral Bay (nothing) and, finally, Crows Nest (black and red tray cloth:$1, book: $2, more double pointed needles: $1)

By this time it was almost 4pm, I'm at the 41 hour mark and I'm feeling like the proverbial Energizer Bunny. Head back into the city and swing past Myer to buy clean knickers as I'm all out and can't be bothered working out how to use Princess B's washer and dryer. Myer just happen to have a 20% off day and my brain is so off in La La land (literally) it doesn't put up it's usual I hate bra shopping tantrum so I manage to buy three pairs while it's not looking. Excellent!

5:30pm drinks with an ex colleague in Surry Hills is followed by 7:30pm dinner with friends in Eastwood. At 9:30pm (the 46 hour mark), I finally hit the wall sitting in the back of their as they drive me back to Hotel 51 (Princess B's residence).

I have a theory that it takes a while for your brain to notice you're flitted countries on it. For the first while once you arrive somewhere (particularly home after a big trip) the poor thing is still sitting in some foreign airport terminal wondering where you've got to. This is what causes me to wake up in the middle of the night on my first night home and have no idea where I am. My favorite example of this was when I got back from Europe last time and woke up and thought "Oh no! I left my cabin door open so anyone walking down the corridor can see in! And look! My cabin has a picture exactly where I have one at home. And it looks the same!"

Am I nuts or does this happen to you as well?

Took a look around, see which way the wind blow...

Sorry, couldn't resist the Doors' quote which seemed sort of apt for my day in LA.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the city - after years of hearing how you don't want to fly through the airport because it's so big and difficult to get around and the traffic in the city is crazy and the smog is a killer I had decided it was a place I really didn't want to visit - in fact I'd originally tried to get flights through San Francisco to bypass LA all together.

But the universe decided otherwise and LA it was. It even cancelled my original midday flight so I had 14 hours to kill.

Which is where Laura at Architecture Tours LA stepped in. We had arranged for me to take a 2-3 hour tour in the afternoon, meeting at the (unfortunately closed that day except for the gift shop) Museum of Contemporary Art. Just across the road from Gehry's Disney Hall (also unfortunately closed for tours that day except for the gift shop) which I had time to explore the outside of (and have a very fine lunch at Mendocino Farms which I highly recommend if you're looking for good food round MoCA.)
Originally we weren't sure if I was going to be able to see everything I had on my list as they were scattered from one end of the LA to the other. But Laura managed to get me round all of it and more, and even extended my time happily by an extra hour to accomodate it all. Even better, I didn't feel I was on a "tour" at all but rather hanging out with a friend who shared an interest with me - which made it a very enjoyable day indeed and caused me to completely change my attitude to LA. Yay to Laura!First (and possibly the most exciting stop for me) was the Eames House and Studio which was just a magic place. Unfortunately you're not allowed to take photos of the inside so I had to content myself with outside only. And those of you who know me well will be very pleased to hear I was very very restrained and did not collect a stone from the garden to add to the collection I have in the downstairs toilet! I did go a little crazy with the souvenirs though and bought the DVD set of Eames Movies I have been lusting after for a while, a couple of books (including a postcard book which had a photo of the Revell dolls house Eames had built a prototype of - which the women at the house says they are considering putting into production. My name is so on that waiting list!) And the lovely woman at the house gave me a limited edition Eames designed spinning top as a belated birthday present (possibly the best souvenir of the whole trip)

Back in the van I could have happily gone back to the airport feeling the tour was a worth it. But we were just beginning the afternoon's adventures.The next destination was Pasadena. No, not to pay homage to the Depeche Mode film 101 (which ended at the Rose Bowl) but to visit some Greene and Greene homes.

On the way we saw many interesting things, the most striking being the toilet where George Michael was arrestedand the other end of Route 66 (so I may not have driven the length of it but I saw both ends which has to count for something, right? I made sure to hum Depeche Mode's Beatmaster's Mix of the song while taking the picture). I first discovered Greene and Greene through articles in Nutshell News (a magazine about miniatures) about a couple called Noel and Pat Thomas who make the most breathtakingly exquisite 1/12th scale models of their homes. I knew the houses fitted into the whole Mackintosh/ Lloyd Wright arts and crafty area but not much more and was keen to fill in that gap.But as we drove up to The Gamble House the only thing I could say was "Isn't this the house?" which Laura finished off with "Back to the Future? Yes". And, of course, both the house and gift shop were closed for the day. Typical!Just round the corner was Frank Lloyd Wright's Millard House (La Miniatura) for which he invented a new system of concrete block construction which was exciting to see (and touch!) even if the view from the gate wasn't that extensive.Laura showed me and gave me the background to many other districts and buildings before dropping me back at the airport. Five stars and mucho recommendations to Laura and Architecture Tours LA!

Long wait at the airport for my flight - by the time I boarded I'd already been awake for 20 hours and by the time I got back to Sydney it was 33 hours with a couple of cramped naps on the plane. Do I need to mention I was still wearing the same clothes I'd climbed into 33 hours beforehand? Let me say I was very happy to see the shower and a fresh outfit!

(Blogger's picture loading has been playing up for the past 36 hours - I'll have pictures for this and all my other holiday posts up as soon as they sort themselves out...)