Meet Zach

Image: The New York Times

Let me share with you a story I heard the other day about a boy called Zach. It goes a little something like this...

Zach is 25. He lives in a 178 square foot studio apartment in downtown Brooklyn. Over the last three years, he has spent just $2,500 decking out his shoebox...sorry...apartment.

Images: The New York Times

In November 2008, Zach saw an ad on Craigslist by upscale architecture firm, Robert Couturier & Associates who were looking for a junior designer with three years' experience and expertise in using a computer drafting program. As a theatre major, who had been mainly waiting tables since graduating, he didn't meet either of these requirements.

But he did have pictures of his apartment. So Zach got the job! Sometimes I guess it pays to be innately stylish...

Changing Tack

Image: kirchnerbk

Last night, mum and I went to yoga. Usually the class is held in old stables, but since it was such a warm, mellow evening, we took our mats to the park outside and held our class there.

I'm a pretty late yoga convert because I always thought that if you don't get a serious sweat up, then it doesn't count as exercise. Little did I know though, these sessions would be just as much about exercising my soul. As we stretched in the soft dusk air, I felt my whole being lengthen and relax.

Gina, our Instructor, said two things that I'm going to carry with me today. The first, was to quieten your mind. I often find that busy days bring with them a flurry of anxious energy. But today I'm placing my feet firmly on the ground and claiming a calm quiet.

The other thing was to truly open your heart. I like to think I'm a loving person, but to be mindful of opening my heart to every person and every situation that comes my way is different - and something I am going to try and do.

Two little thoughts. One new approach to my day. Want to join me in changing tack?

x

Scared of Heights

Images: Creative Photography

Aerial Photography by Ricardo Mendonca Ferreira

Flying makes me feel physically ill.

I could think of nothing worse than going up-up-and-away in a hot air balloon.

You will never catch me on a balcony or up a ladder.

But for some strange reason, Ricardo Mendonca Ferreira's aerial photography takes my breath away - in a good way! Go figure.

The Wishing Chairs

Tea Towel and Tapestry Furniture by Suzie Stanford

Remember The Wishing Chair - Mollie and Peter's magical chair that grew wings and flew? Well I think I've found it. Seriously!

With a magpie-like obsessiveness, Melbourne-based designer, Suzie Stanford, collects vintage tapestries and tea towels from auction houses, curio shops and flea markets. She then retells their unique histories by creating vibrant patchworks for her one-off furniture pieces.

"I don’t think I really make anything new. I just make new connections. I put things together which are not supposed to be together and hope that by my works’ celebration of colour and the juxtaposing the old with the new my pieces make people smile," says Suzie.

You do more than that Suzie. You create tangible fantasies that look like they could grow wings and fly!

A Missed Momment

Images: Missed Connections

Missed Connections

I have many quirks. One is religiously reading the Introductions section. I'm definitely not looking for anyone - just curious as to who other people are looking for.

I always thought this oddity made me one of a kind. Not so it seems. On the other side of the globe, Sophie Blackall, a Brooklyn-Australian illustrator mines the 'Missed Connections' section of Craiglist for inspiration which she then transforms into playful prints that range from the lyrically poetic to the downright comical. You can even purchase your own slice of anonymous, forlorn love from Sophie's Etsy shop.

Imagine what Sophie could do with the gem I uncovered in this week's local rag:

Flashy woman 52, blonde, wants flashy businessman. Romantic. Educated. Nice.

US $40; available online from Etsy.

The Hostess with the Mostest

Image: The Hostess

The Hostess

Even though eating is my favourite pass time, thinking about what to cook for dinner is my most loathed daily activity. So you can imagine my delight when I stumbled across The Hostess. This little gem of a blog is written by Stephanie Conley and features easy peasy recipes that are healthy and oh-so-tasty.

The hardest bit is choosing which recipe to whip up each night. Now, that's something I never thought I'd say...

Bon Appetit!

Down the Rabbit Hole

Images: The Fashion Time Magazine

Trend Spotter: The Alice Effect

Even if you've been stuck down a rabbit hole, it's hard to escape Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. From the Mad Hatter taking over the LA. Times, to the Alice in Wonder Room at Selfridges and tea party curio boxes, the influence of this flick is far reaching

But perhaps the most perfect Alice reference is Lady Grey - Tim Walker's latest editorial for Vogue Italia. Weaving his usual magic, Walker has created a fantasy that is one part Versailles and two part Wonderland. The result is the stuff of dreams. More images from this shoot can be found here.

So...have you seen Alice in Wonderland yet? Does it live up to the hype?

Found via.

Wall Dressing

Images: Studio Ditte

Button Wallpaper

Netherlands-based, Studio Ditte, sought out forgotten buttons for their newest wallpaper print. The result? Well it's as cute as a button really!

€ 135,00, available online from Studio Ditte.

Today Feels Like Sunday

Image: The Guardian

Gorrilaz

It's lucky today is a public holiday as I'm feeling awfully lazy. I've only just got out of my pjs and have been overdosing on video clips.

Speaking of which, have you seen the Gorrilaz latest one - Stylo? It's worth watching just for Bruce Willis' gold cameo apperance. Unfortunately EMI are being stingy so you'll have to hop over here to see it in full.

Phew. I'd better go lie down. All this typing is exhausting for a lazy bones like me!

We Move Like Cagey Tigers

Tag, I'm it!

Evie, the ultra talented and all-round sweet gal from Handmade Romance, has given me the Kreative Blog Award. To play along, I have to share seven things about myself. As I wrote about something similar to this a few months back, I thought I'd make my seven things specific to Friday and the week that was.

1. This is my partner in crime. Every Friday morning we have a dance-off! Today's sound track was Love Cats.

2. I'm currently going through a phase where my preferred end-of-the-week tipple is Hendrick's Gin, tonic and a slither of cucumber.

3. The highlight of my week has been my boy returning from overseas - and the Kate Spade wallet that came with him.

4. I'm still dreaming of the hot chocolate and escargot I had at Cowderoy's Dairy on Wednesday morning.

5. This week I read True Love by Vietnamese Zen monk, Thich Nhat Hanh. I didn't realise it at the time, but this little book really made its mark on me. In fact, I'm already doing things differently.

6. I can't believe that Footy is back on the box. The only plus side of this is that my boy will resume his Friday night 'peace offering' of at least three magazines for me to flick through while he watches it!

7. I'm happy to report that even when you don't work full time, you still get 'that' Friday afternoon feeling.

Now - I'd like to pass this on to pen.ny, Love Again, Post Grad Hair Cut, duo, Katie Crackernuts, Ché and Fidel and e tells tales.

Tag, you're it!

Died and Gone to Heaven

Images: Mocoloco

Moleskine's Passion Collection

My love of Moleskine is only (just) second to my love of wine. Which is why Moleskine's new Passions Collection is a match made in heaven!

Each of these journals features a layout oriented toward recording and recalling thoughts, memories and notes about six of life's great passions - food, wine, wellness, film, books and movies.

Hmmm...the obvious choice for their next volume is a journal devoted to life's seventh passion: Moleskine!

Ps: If you'd rather try before you buy, you can download and test the page layouts for each of the Passions journals over here.

US $13.57; available online from Amazon.

Meat and Greet

Images: InDesign Live

Victor Churchill

Earlier this week, my brother decided to venture back into carnivore territory after more than a decade of vegetarianism. 'What did he try for this first foray?' you may ask. A slither of chicken? A tiny morsel of roast lamb? No, he went the whole hog (literally) and had some prosciutto!

Given the gusto with which he has returned to meat, I think Victor Churchill is right up my brother's alley. More meat boutique than family butcher, Victor Churchill is bringing an almost unheard of sense of glamour back to the age-old art of butchery. Brimming with every type of terrine imaginable, wagu so marbled it's more fat than flesh, and an obscene selection of rare-breed pork, lamb, chicken and duck, Victor Churchill is the type of place that is sure to tempt my brother back to the dark side for good!

Victor Churchill

132 Queen Street

Woollahra, NSW

T: 02 9328 0402

Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!

Images: String Gardens

String Gardens by Fedor

One part folly, two parts whimsy, Fedor's String Gardens remind me of a cosmic galaxy. Inspired by a Japanese botanical style called Kokedama, the objective of these installations is to simply bring plants to eye level. But they do so much more than that - don't you think? They evoke a sense of peace and almost make you feel weightless...

Measure Up

Images: Yasmin Ellis

Jewellery by Yasmin Ellis

A few years ago, I paid for a short course in dressmaking. Unfortunately I didn't survive the first session as it seems the crafty part of my brain is missing.

The measuring tape I bought for this course is now languishing in the bottom draw in our kitchen. Maybe I should send it to Yasmin Ellis so she can make one of her sweet broaches or necklaces out of it. Clearly, the crafty party of her brain is working a-ok!

Available from COUNTER at Craft Victoria.