Shades of Grey

The days run away like wild horses over the hills

- Charles Bukowski

Last week I came across the idea of keeping a journal that only ever includes one sentence about each day. The thing that I love about this, is that it makes you think in broad brushstrokes. It also makes you remember the fleeting details that make a day perfect - like this moment on our morning walk.

So, today I bought a crisp, fresh notebook and I'm going to try and rein in some of the 'wild horses'...

Carried Away

Images: NY Mag

Patricia Field's Take on Sex and the City 2

Sex and the City 2 is a heartbeat away from appearing on the big screen and I have to say I'm pretty darn happy about that! Sure, it might be all spark and very little substance, but that's the way I like my escapism.

Just as I'm looking forward to seeing what Carrie and the gang get up to, I'm equally excited to see what fantastical threads Patricia Field's will be serving up. More than eye candy, the clothes in Sex and the City have always been a critical part of the storytelling, and as Field's says, "[They] establish and strengthen the relationship that the audience has with these four girls."

For an amazing deconstruction of ten looks from Sex and the City 2 by Field's herself, make sure you visit here. It's a fascinating insight into the film and the mind of a genius stylist.

Give Thanks

Images: thxthxthx

thxthxthx

I'm a big fan of the lost art of thank you notes. So is Leah Dieterich.

From the names Kate and Katie and the 28 year-old girl who hasn't lost her baby teeth, to uncertainty and Spring, thxthxthx is her daily exercise in gratitude - and a joyful note to start the day on! Happy Humpday....

Pimp Your Ride

To all the cyclists out there,

There is no need for you to continue looking like this:

Image: Sydney Cyclist

Just because you have poured yourself into a lurid neon ensemble doesn't fool anyone into thinking you're Lance Armstrong. So why not kit yourself out in accessories the non-riding public actually want to see? Like this matching handlebar bag and seat cover in vintage upholstery fabric from CycleStyle, the home of stylish clothing and accessories for the urban cyclist.

Image: CycleStyle

And while you're at it, drop by Jelly Bean Bikes and for just $599, let them hook you up a rainbow-coloured, custom-made ride. You select the colour of your frame, rims, chain, seat, handgrips, pedals and even the tyres. And they'll whip up a cool commuter that is an extension of your personality. Just add some neon Spokey Dokeys and you're all set!

Image: Jelly Bean Bikes

The Happiness Resolution

Although my parents have had the farm for eight years, this weekend was the first time the whole family has been there at once. Travel and living away from Melbourne has meant that the stars have never aligned and enabled us to share time together in a place that we all adore.

We cooked, laughed, drank, sat in the watery winter sun and fell asleep in the wingback chairs by the fire. Then we cooked some more.

When we came back home, I felt brand new. I realised that in recent months, my heart often feels like it could pound right out of my chest. I always seem to be racing around from one thing to the next. I feel like I need to keep all these balls in the air, but when it comes down to it, I'm the only one creating and putting myself under pressure.

So, today I made a May resolution - to carry the quiet stillness that a precious 24 hours away gave me. To consciously luxuriate in the moment. To simply be.

This is one resolution I'll be keeping.

Want Some Punk With Your Plonk?

Images: Vine Arts, The Age & Bouchon Wines

Wine by Some Young Punks

Today will go a little something like this:

1. Alfie and I are rugging up and heading to the market to do one hell-of-a-big-shop.
2. Home again and I'll spend the day happily chopping, dicing, slicing, cooking, basting and baking.
3. Night falls and six friends will come around for a hearty home-cooked meal.
4. With a belly full of nosh and good booze we'll crash between the sheets.

What could be grander than a day like this?

Speaking of good booze, have you heard of the South Australian wine label, Some Young Punks? Or should I say, have you seen their labels? Inspired by pulp fiction novels, these bottles look as good as their contents taste!

Kid You Not

Images: Shit My Kids Ruined

Shit My Kids Ruined

If you have rugrats, Shit My Kids Ruined, will cut hilariously close to home. From furniture, dreams to once-pert-boobs, this is the place where parents share things their kids have ruined or otherwise made filthy, distasteful, gross or painful.

If you don't have kids, this site is the strongest visual birth control around.

Either way, it's the perfect way to start your Wednesday on the funny side!

A Matter of Taste

Images: The Blog Rules

Edible Fashion by Fulvio Bonavia

Talk about a match made in heaven! Italian photographer, Fulvio Bonavia, takes two of life's greatest pleasures - food and fashion - and combines them in delectable creations for his latest book A Matter of Taste. From eggplant flats to a berry bag and fishy belt, I'm not sure whether to eat or wear these pieces!

Found via.

Bat For (Paper) Lashes

Images: Paperself

Papercut Lashes

On Saturday we went to a party where I spent half the night trying to work out why a friend looked more beautiful than usual. For a while I thought it was her new super sleek hairdo. Then I thought it was her floaty dress which reminded me of a piece of fairy floss. But as we were about to leave, I realised it was the tiniest thing of all...her false lashes.

I've always written off falsies as more trouble than their worth. But after the other night, I am a believer. And after spotting these lashes by Paperself I'm obsessed.

Inspired by the traditional Chinese craft of paper-cutting, these lashes are as intricate as they are delicately pretty. Available in three styles - horses, peonies and peach blossoms which symbolise success, happiness and love respectively.

The only thing I now have to get down pat is the art of application, as there would be nothing worse than wayward peach blossom lashes flapping in the wind!

Large sets £12; Small sets £10; available online from Luna & Curious.

Take My Hat Off To You

Images: Maison Michel

Maison Michel S/S10 Lookbook

When it comes to lookbooks, if you've seen one you've seen them all. Produced each season by fashion brands to showcase their latest collection, they usually feature a snoozefest approach of a vapid model snapped in front of a white background.

This morning however, my theory was proved wrong when I came across the S/S10 lookbook by avant-garde milliners, Maison Michel. Featuring drop-dead-whimsical illustrations by Cédric Rivrain mixed with product shots, the overall result is fresh and seductive. And the icing on the top? Laetitia Crahay, Maison Michel's Artistic Director and Head of Accessories and Jewelry at Chanel, roped some of her (famous) friends including Milla Jovovich and Lou Doillon in as models.

If only more brands would take a leaf out of Maison Michel's lookbook - we would have less same, same and more different.

Tape Tie

Image: Supermarket

Sonic Fabric Necktie

If you thought the only retro thing about the revival of the necktie is the popularity of Mad Men, think again. Made from recycled cassette tape, Alyce Santoro and Julio Cesar's limited edition ties are giving mix tapes the world over a second chance.

Believe it or not, they are also audible if you run a tape head over them. So I guess you could say, they are music to your ears...or should that be neck?!

US $120; available online from Supermarket.

Lost Generation

Video: YouTube

Palindromic Video

If you have a spare 1:45 minutes today, take some time out and watch this nifty little video. It came second in a competition called u @50 and was submitted by a 20-year old student.

This video is based on a palindrome which reads the same backwards as forwards. However, in this case not only does it read the exact opposite, the meaning is also the exact opposite.

Confused? It will all make sense when you watch it through. It is also the perfect inspiration to consciously make changes.

Please, just watch it....

Found via.

A Cut Above the Rest

Images: Koi Koi Koi

Leather Etched Artwork by Mark Evans

Although I like to think I'm a creative person, I'm much better with the vision than the execution. My first indication this was the case was in my Grade 4 art class and the shambolic Linocut I produced.

Lucky for me, Mark Evans wasn't in my class because he truly is a dab hand with a scalpel. Mark creates hand-etched artwork using knives as his 'paintbrushes' and leather hide as his 'canvas'. Each bespoke piece is impressively detailed and life-like...although not that impressive if you're a vegetarian, I guess!

Found via.