Lazy Arse Me

I live very close to my work.

"How close?" I hear you ask.

"Very close," I reply somewhat cagily.

"Why so cagey?" you ask.

"Well," I dither, "If you knew how close, you would judge me for driving to work this week."

"Never!" you exclaim, "There is not a judgemental bone in me. Pray tell"

"OK," I concede, "But let me preface this by stating that it has been cold and rainy and I can't find my umbrella"

"Noted" noted you.

It is approximately 200 metres from my front door to my office

"Get out!" you scream, "There is a special place in hell for lazy, unenvironmentally friendly gits like you. Get thee to an umbrella shop"

So, I have been looking. So far, I like these...

from Kate Spade, Outblush, Simply Umbrellas, Guy de Jean and Brollies Galore

and this is my fave

from I am a Greedy Girl

But, I'd rather grow me one of these so I don't ever run out

Picture via Apartment Therapy

Book Fest

Image from Jane Mount

So I've just seen this over on The Peach Tree (check out her cute earrings here) and think its a great idea to keep people motivated about reading.

Here's how it works

The Big Read says that the average adult has only read 6 of the top 100 books they've printed
1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italics for those you intend to read.
3) Underline the books you love, and strikeout the books you read but didn't like.
4) Reprint this list so we can try and track down these people who've read only 6 or less and make them read.

So...

THE BIG READ TOP 100

1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2. The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4. The Harry Potter Series JK Rowling
5. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6. The Bible (I've read about 3/4)
7. Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8. Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9. His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10. Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11. Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12. Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller this is my FAVE book ever
14. Complete Works of Shakespeare (about half)
15. Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16. The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17. Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18. Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19. The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20. Middlemarch - George Eliot
21. Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22. The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23. Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26. Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh .
27. Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28. Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29. Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30. The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32. David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33. Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34. Emma - Jane Austen .
35. Persuasion - Jane Austen
36. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37. The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini (this is going around my office at the moment)
38. Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39. Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40. Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41. Animal Farm - George Orwell
42. The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43. One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44. A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45. The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46. Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery (like a million times)
47. Far From The Maddening Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48. The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
49. Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50. Atonement - Ian McEwan
51. Life of Pi - Yann Martel (waiting for my Dad to finish)
52. Dune - Frank Herbert
53. Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54. Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55. A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56. The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57. A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58. Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60. Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61. Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63. The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65. Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66. On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67. Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68. Bridget Jones' Diary - Helen Fielding
69. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie
70. Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71. Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72. Dracula - Bram Stoker
73. The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74. Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75. Ulysses - James Joyce
76. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77. Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78. Germinal - Emile Zola
79. Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80. Possession - AS Byatt
81. A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82. Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83. The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84. The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86. A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87. Charlotte's Web - EB White
88. The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90. The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91. Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92. The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93. The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94. Watership Down - Richard Adams (this was the first book I owned)
95. A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96. A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97. The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98. Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100. Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

Scary thing is, I read most of these at least 10 years ago. I'd actually like to read all the ones I haven't read to get me back up to scratch and so I can say I've done it - although I could knock a few more off cos I've seen the movie...

Navel Gazing

The only good thing about winter is oranges and subsequently orange smiles.

from Flickr

How cute is this little ginger?

Fish and Chipboard

These little fish from Beachwood would be perfect on cupboards in a beach house or in the cat equivalent of a gingerbread house. Functional, yet tasty.

Nautical but Nice

I love this site. I have spent way too many hours on it. For example; today's effort So much fun. Kicks the arse of morse code.

Just Doing My Bit...

Image via Flikr

I love the term powernap. These road signs in Victoria are great. Who knew being lazy could be so beneficial. I must have saved thousands during Year 12 Religion classes.
As it is quite late again and I have to get up for work fairly soon, looks like I'll be helping out again right now.

Tuesday Tunesday - Respectable

I headed to my folks' house for dinner tonight as my aunt is over for a visit from Canberra. Its always great to see her as she is full of stories from years of travelling and she has a house in the greek islands, so I'm all for strengthening those familial ties. The last time I saw her, she and my other aunts (mum's sisters) were at my parents' house having afternoon tea. Although they never discussed what they were going to wear, they all rocked up in blue tops and white pants. (That's Sal on the front right with her eye's shut, she's my Dad's mum, but also in on the blue shirt theme - she's a good team player like that).

Mum and Auntie Heather had been on a wine tour of the Adelaide Hills today, so were still quite "excitable", but the thing that cracked me up the most tonight was the fact that they had practically donned the same outfit again. This time it was pale pink (Mum)/pale mauve (Heather) woollen skivvy, each with a black knitted top over and black pants. To top this off, my Auntie Jeanie had gone along with them earlier in the day and Mum said she had turned up in a pale pink skivvy with black pants too (no black top for her though). Freaks.

So, in the theme of sisterly love and similar sibling suiting, here is the wonderful Mel and Kim.

I loved these girls. I had this song as the personal ringtone for my friend James as she ain't never gonna be respectable.

Letter Love

The only good thing about your friends being away, especially on your birthday, is when they come back. My beautiful buddy was slumming it at a wedding on Lake Como(!) when I turned 29 and has brought me back the most stunning Mulberry keyring in a delicious, chocolate brown leather. So spoilt. I need to get me a new bag that is up to its standards.

First time I've ever wanted to get "P" on my bag. (Heh heh, I am soooo funny)

Spicy Springer Roles

I just did a double take. Is that Jerry Springer and Scary Spice hosting the Miss Universe awards? So appropriate.

When I was Younger - Bros

Speaking of bros, when I was younger, I thought that the twins from Bros were actually girls.

You do make friends with salad

I just caught this ad

Gotta get a couple of these for my bros.

Look at Moiye

I love love love the fug girls, but found myself pouting when they fugged Selma Blair. I think she looks a little bit cute here. Can't wait to see her playing Kim.

An Apple a Day...

Picture from Design Sponge

Love this chair and pillow combo.

If this was my house, despite feeling rather smug at its general gorgeousness, I don't think I would be able to leave that cockatoo in peace. I think it would look rather fine in one of these

From ASOS

and maybe some nice beads

from J Crew

Greek and Penguins

Tonight I had my Grandma, Sal around for dinner and a dvd.

Twas a night of firsts.

It was the first time she had visited my new place

and she said it was "flash".

She tried her first Yiros

and quite enjoyed it (though "not as much as Subway").

She had her first felafeland couldn't believe it wasn't meat.

She tried Baklava for the first time

and licked the plate (OK, that was me), but she liked it too.

And we watched Happy Feet, Sal for the first time.

and she sang along.
Great night.

Milch Maid

So, I'm going to a happy place now, as I'm still a bit low from my TV viewing tonight.

It may be a bit odd, but something that makes me smile is speaking German because it reminds me of my beautiful friend George (and not just cos the German pronounciatiopn of her name was Gay-org - heh heh)

We studied German in Year 12 and I found it an invaluable language to know as my parents' house only had the one landline in the middle of the kitchen/lounge area so you could not have a private phone conversation to save yourself. George and I would discuss our weekend plans auf Deutsch and used the word Milch (milk) when we were talking about alcohol. The number of times our folks must have heard that word they would have had no worries of how strong our bones were (do you think that my current state of lactose intolerance might be some sort of karmic reaction?).

George has now moved to glamorous Sydney and although I am a very bad friend and never call (in English or in German), I do miss her terribly. She is truly one of the most genuine (and funniest) people I have ever met. So, since seeing it on Rare Bird Finds, I want to get her this tshirt.

It says Ich möchte Dir sagen, daβ ich Dich nie verlassen werde. Und dann, wenn Du traurig bist, könnte ich Dir immer ein biβchen Likör geben, um dein Herz zu aufwärmen. xo which they have translated loosely as "I'll be there for you always. And I'll get you drunk when you're sad"

Fine sentiments indeed.

Pictures of You

I just cried. I am watching the Gruen Transfer and for those who haven't seen it, it is a great new show about advertising on the only channel not allowed to sell advertising space. They have just showed an ad campaign that ran in Victoria. When they released it, the Victorian government bought the space in primetime across all the channels, and played this full edit, effectively causing everyone watching TV at that time to see it. If this doesn't get the message across I don't know what will. Beats shock tactics for me every time.



I am never speeding again.

Salt and Pepper

I have a friend who has a thing for silver foxes and I think can understand the attraction. I have just been watching NCIS (its my guilty pleasure, ok) and it is my belief that Mark Harmon is aging quite nicely thankyou very much. Here is his younger selfD-rool.

Gnocched Up

I am feeling a little bit clever tonight. I made gnocchi for the first time. It was roast pumpkin and basil gnocchi. Tres delish.

Alright, so by making it I mean, tipped the frozen stuff into hot water and boiled it, but i've never done that before so I am feeling a little gourmet. I did at least make the sauce; lamb ragu; not too bad even if I do say so myself.

One day though, I am going to make this from scratch - Beetroot Gnocchi with Pistachio, Basil and Rocket pesto.

This is from the beautiful la tartine gourmande. Bea is a french born food stylist/photographer/writer who has the most delicious looking creations on her site, including the recipes. Do not visit if you are hungry.

Tuesday Tunesday - Raining on Sunday

In honour of the little Miss Kidman-Urban, today's music choice is one of her papa's tune's.

By the way, I love the name Sunday. It has always been on my list.

I Pity the Fool

The first time Bert went away for work, I got out the scissors and gave Bella a mohawk to bring out her inner punk; she is a tough poodle you know.

It was about this time, I noticed her resemblence to the one and only B A Baracus.

In honour of her doppelganger...

from Kezzaroo

from Mel Bell

from Bambina Mia

And to haunt you in your dreams tonight, the Mr T Rubber Duck

from I want that

Be Advised...

Dear Pippa,

Please be aware that although the icecream you just bought is dairy free, the fact that you decided to eat it all in one sitting, as well as eating your dinner, does not sit well with me.

Kind Regards
Your Stomach.

PS. A cup of tea would go down well right now

What I like to wear around the House

This dress had the potential to be tragic (think pastels and taffetta), but in navy wool, I think its perfect - and its got pockets. Found via this frocked up lassie.

PS. I still find it sad that Jennifer Morrison and Billy from Neighbours cancelled their engagement, but if he needs a shoulder to cry on...

Its a plan, Stan

The last of my engaged friends is getting married in October and as everyone knows, a wedding is the perfect excuse for a new frock.

I am planning ahead for this one.

Check out my new lovely...

My friend ebay brought this J Crew lovely to me. Its called the "Samba" dress. At the moment I look a bit pregnant in it (i'm not), but with a bit of adjusting, it should be just right.

I also found these earrings to match on etsy (which are currently clip-ons, but i think I'll get them altered so they fit pierced ears - also, they are the same colour, its just a weird photo).

I vote we skip winter and get right on to spring so I can wear this. Who's with me?

Table Talk

I know that Snippet and Ink is the guilty pleasure of many. Wedding bells are way, way (way) off for me, but I find it so inspirational in every day life. Its so nice to see the real weddings with the pictures of people on their happiest and most special day, but the boards are what sucker me in. I love the composition of images. I always ending up clicking through at least one of the links. And that is how I came across this little lovely...

Toast and Tables

Wouldn't it be nice to sit down to one of these.

Heavyweight

So clever, a suitcase which has a built in scale.

Not quite a Louis case though, is it?

Make it 150

I'm a bit of a geek when it comes to movies. My first job was in a video store and lasted for way longer than a first job should - the perk of unlimited movies was too great. I also worked with a fantastic bunch of kids.
Due to my innate slackness, after I left, I rarely saw any of them, but recently I ran into one of the girls and she invited me to her 21st birthday. It was a fantastic night and I loved catching up with them all.
Tonight, we went out for a coffee at a cute little 70s style supperclub. Again I was spoilt, with some gorgeous jewellery from Palas and some yummy wine, but the best part was just hanging out, shooting the breeze.
And yet, despite having a great night, I have left feeling unsettled; something is just not right.
One of the girls had confessed that she had never seen the Sarah Jessica Parker classic "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". I mean, how does she sleep at night???
So Miss K, you said you've been reading this, get ready to live...


I sooooooooooooo need to see this movie again.

Spoilt

Today was my birthday and despite it being a working day, it was a really great day, especially as I haven't had a great track record with birthdays.

For instance, my mum had a bag of fun size snickers for the lolly bags at my seventh birthday party. I think I ate them all, ran around then ralphed the lot up. Never touched a Snickers again.

I had my very own Molly Ringwald moment when, just like in 16 Candles, my parents forgot my 16th birthday. Granted, they were stranded in Germany and had just had their bags (including passports, credit cards, cameras and I presume my birthday presents) stolen - and they did call the very next day, which may have still been my birthday there, but still. I am holding this grudge as it links me to an eighties icon.

On my twentieth birthday, I had a uni assignment due, so I spent the day and the night in the library at Flinders. I missed the last bus from the campus into the city and this being before I had a mobile, had to walk to the main road in the dark and the rain (no raincoat or umbrella) to the next nearest bus stop, got off in town and caught the last train back to my parents, tripped on a tree root walking back to theirs, skun my knee and tore my favourite jeans.

But, as I said before, today was lovely. Here is how I was spoilt;

• I had phone calls from those I love and gorgeous emails from people I never get to see.
• Bert surprised me by hiding my present in the cupboard before he went away (I have wanted this clock since I saw it at Christmas time last year, but they had sold out and weren't getting anymore. Its huge - just over half a metre in diameter and I'm not really sure where I am going to put it, but I love that it is mine)

• Kimberlee couldn't keep a secret any longer and sent me a pic of my birthday present - which is divine by the way.
• I got sent a text of my beautiful little man Gus playing happy birthday for me on some drums - soooooooo cute
• Work put on a long lunch for me and we had the yummiest Thai with spring rolls with whole prawns in them.
• My workmate Nat had made me a Lemon Meringue Pie from scratch for afternoon tea - and she is a damn fine cook - the pastry tasted like shortbread.
• Went down to my folks for tea, picking up Sal on the way and had roast lamb (done in the weber, so it was that beautiful smoky flavour) with 7 different types of veg.
• Dad had gone to Muratti to get me a cake and had come back with my favourite and I have slice in my fridge for tomorrow as well.
  

And, for the cherry, I got a comment on here from Paige at "I Heart You" who is the whole reason I started reading blogs in the first place.

So, overall, TOPS day! Hooray for birthdays.

Whipped

Schmoo, Boo, Schmelly Belly, Muppet, Wallace, Monkey, Little Tart, Pumpkin, Stinky Head, Bells, Bellabaloo. Bella.

I know you are there, staring at me.

Stop your huffing, we will venture out, in the cold and the rain, at this ungodly hour and go for a quick walk.

Happy now?

Short Story

The Satorialist is the most insipring blog ever. I know it sounds like an incredibly vapid thing to say (and probably is), but everytime I look at his pictures I am motivated to try something different - pull that old dress from the back of my wardrobe, try that with a scarf, think outside the square. Clothes are such a great way of expressing one's personalities and quirks. One of my favourite "looks" is longer sleeved tops and shorts. When I was younger, you couldn't keep me out of them. These days I tend to have to layer them with tights, cos i feel the cold - and have pale, pasty gams. I think this filly looks fab. I love the heels and the relaxed pony and I am going to have to get me an Hermes belt.

Tuesday Tunesday - Anyone Else But You

I just finished watching Juno.


She deserved that Oscar. Great story.

Chasing the Grey Away

It is so cold and grey and depressing here at the moment, I think I need some colour therapy.

These should do the trick...

Oscar

Isaac

Milly

Marc

I feel like we are close enough to be on first name terms