Obscene Pickle's Blog

Who's the lady with the log?

2012-01-13T14:54:00.001+10:30

AC: Who's the lady with the log?
ST: They call her the log lady

I watch Twin Peaks every few months - it's an old fave of mine and I usually just have it on in the background while I'm doing other stuff, I find it comforting and it helps me work. I've drawn some Twin Peaks related stuff and have only just gotten around to scanning it in so I can share. The others aren't done yet but I'll post some more later and turn the hardcopies into a zine. I'm well determined to get some zines out over the break.

2011

2012-01-12T00:56:00.001+10:30

So I managed to spend most of 2011 being very busy and not posting anything at all. I'm not sure if 2012 will be much different really but I'm gonna try. But during uni break (I gots about 7 weeks left) I wanna do some still relevant retroactive posts on what I've been up to, what I'm into and where I'm headed.

I've had such a great year. I've learnt so much and am loving Melbourne and the Brunswick hood, my course has been super challenging/satisfying/fun, I also feel fucking lucky that I've been working at some really cool places and I've met some awesome people that I hope to call BFF's one day.

One of my favourite projects this year was called 'Telling Tales" and focussed on illustration skills and using a combination of photoshop and handmade elements to create a tactile book based on a fairytale. Here are some of my favourite pages from my final book based on 'The Fisherman and his Wife'. This year the book (or a version thereof) should be in an RMIT Arts exhibition. I'm be selling a rougher version as a zine later on in the year too.

Vali Myers: Wild Heart

2012-01-12T00:19:00.002+10:30

I completed a woven textile design project last year and I drew most of my design inspiration from artist Vali Myers. Her art, image and spirit sent my imagination soaring. I'll edit this post later to include images of my pieces. Here are some of my favourite Vali pictures: (from http://www.sacredfamiliar.com/ and http://witchofpositano.tumblr.com/)

Edit: Here are my weaving swatches that were inspired by Vali. Photos are a bit cruddy...

my workspace, mess next to loom

I used found materials and scraps I had at home; shredded jeans and old t-shirts etc
and used these as weft yarns and fringing

Yarns and silk and satin ribbons as fringing - spangly! spangly!

not an 'authentic' gypsy charm as Vali might wear but the best I could find in a pinch

Arlene Texta Queen

2011-07-13T10:29:00.001+09:30

I love this girl's style. Brights, textas, expressive, thought-provoking, funny - all that good stuff. Note to self: do more drawing.

More stuff on her website - http://textaqueen.com/

Oh and a really good interview (a few years old now) over at the design files and this article over at Art Month Sydney.

Image from Art Month Sydney

Image from The Design Files

By Alrene Texta Queen http://www.flickr.com/photos/textaqueen/5409342693/in/photostream

Inspiration: Rex Ray

2010-12-14T00:59:00.000+10:30

I love the way this guy works - I've always enjoyed cutting and pasting and this guy is a collage master. I dig the 50's mod/atomica looking shapes he uses, the haphazard colours and the detail and layering turns a simple technique into exquisitely designed, handmade pieces. I like that he found his signature niche/technique by accident too.

images by Rex Ray poached from: http://shelleysdavies.com/?p=563

Nice girls don't wear cha cha heels

2010-12-07T00:27:00.000+10:30

From my favourite John Waters movie, Female Trouble.

Image courtesy of http://www.listal.com/viewimage/1023317h

Soundtrack to my Childhood

2010-09-06T23:19:00.009+09:30

1. Petula Clark - Downtown

2. The Beatles - Drive my car

3. Bananarama - Love in the 1st degree

4. Patsy Cline - Walkin' after midnight

5. The Jacksons - Can You Feel it?

6. Dianna Ross - Upside Down
7. Salt N'Pepa - Push it

8. Dusty Springfield - Anyone who had a heart

9. Mariah Carey - Dreamlover

10. Shirley Bassey - Something

11. Skeeter Davis - The end of the world

12. The Carpenters - I won't last a day without you

My music taste was heavily influenced by my mum (Salt N' Pepa excluded) and she really seemed to like sad lady music and the Motown sound. Thanks ma!

Blog inspired by Pip

First record/album I ever bought ^^

:D

2010-09-06T21:43:00.000+09:30

Unfinished Business - a mini update

2010-08-16T23:13:00.000+09:30

Busy making things and no time for anything else I'm afraid. Will give the real lowdown soon.

Cute wedding vid

2010-08-02T16:28:00.000+09:30

Lauren + JP from Matt Odom on Vimeo.

I finished something!

2010-07-11T16:12:00.001+09:30

I feel like I "should" be in a better mood today - the sun in shining, its Sunday, most of the housework is done, we're about to go for a bike ride AND this week I finished my granny square blanket once and for all. I'm a bit down though so as joyous an occasion that it is to finish a project, I still feel melancholy. But peeps I am proud as a peacock of my first blanket! (these pics were taken in our veggie patch - we have broccoli y'all!)

Grey days

2010-07-07T23:55:00.000+09:30

1. Alien landscapes 2. Horsehead Nebula 3. Retro Rentals 4. Tag me 5.Reebok pumps 6. Shoulders 7. Copacabana Dancers 8. Orion Nebula

I made it

2010-07-04T19:41:00.002+09:30

I'll be glad when you're dead from Eileen Braybrook on Vimeo.

I work part-time for West Darling Arts now and I made this video for a project that they're affiliated with called 'At the Drive-in'. The song is Zumbie by Major Lazer (if you couldn't tell).
Over the last few weeks I've been working on West Darling Art's 'web-presence' and finally got the new website published today - so I guess that's something else I've made.

I've still been making brooches but not with the same speed as before. There's so many crafty things I want to try right now that I've sort of lost my focus. I bought an embroidery hoop yesterday and haven't tried it yet. Still have a half finished linocut, wool tops to make felt with - the list goes on and I only wish there were more hours in the day for myself. I do feel alot closer to living my dreams than I did a year ago though. On an extra positive note (and speaking of 'I made it') my granny square blanket is but a few loose yarn threads away from being finished and of course I'll post a photo as soon as it's 100% complete.

What have you been making?

New show that I love

2010-06-21T01:17:00.000+09:30

Vibrate like a Nokia

2010-06-14T22:37:00.001+09:30

La Boeuf

2010-06-14T22:15:00.003+09:30

Stef and I made a delicious Boeuf Bourguignon on Saturday. We served it up for friends on Sunday night cause it took a massive six hours to prepare. Yes, it was Julia Child's original recipe except roughly converted to metric from imperial. It was definitely worth the time it took to prepare - unfortunately it was so good that there were no leftovers.

Here's the recipe.

For the Aussie's though here's some hints:

3 pounds beef = 1.3kg
Do not ask your butcher for 6 ounces of bacon - he will laugh at you. Just use 2-3 thick rashers.
Full bodied Chianti = Shiraz
1 pound of mushrooms = almost 1/2 a kg
Don't worry about how best to slice the carrot. It really doesn't matter.
When it gets to the part about brasied onion don't panic you've got heaps of time to prepare it and Julia's recipe for it is on the net.
I was too scared to put in 3 tablespoons of salt like the recipe said to. I put in 1tbs and it was salty enough for us.
My beef was lean enough that there was not really any fat to skim off of the top.
We served the Bourguignon with creamy potato mash, steamed Brocolini and a roast pumpkin, pinenut, fetta and baby spinach salad.

The end :)

Killaqueenz!

2010-06-07T23:16:00.000+09:30

I just bought the album and I have to say that it is dope!

Lazy Sunday

2010-06-07T00:47:00.004+09:30

Open fire
Boyancé

Oversized jumper
Doona
Cats Chicken and Chorizo Paella
Granny squares
Dr Who
The Sims
Marina and the Diamonds

Multi-tasking like a mtherfcker

2010-05-26T20:51:00.000+09:30

Dear anyone who reads this,

Please accept my apologies for the infrequent blog entries this month. Please bear with me and keep checking back here. I have all sorts of exciting things on at the moment and have been too busy (as opposed to the usual reason for lack of blogs - lazy/fickleness) to update even though I think about it all the time (no really).

Anyway here's some things I've been doing/planning:

Listening to 'This is Happening' in anticipation of seeing LCD Soundsystem this July in Sydney with some very, very, very dear friends. (Also listening to: Joan Jett, Bonnie Tyler, Beyonce, Grizzly Bear, Hot Chip, Caribou, Massive Attack, Kate Bush, She & Him and Florence + the Machine)

We visited Daylesford, Healesville and Melbs and had an awesome time. In Daylesford we went on lots of walks, ate yummy food, lots of 2nd hand shopping, relaxed and looked at possible wedding locations (oh YEAH WE GOT ENGAGED!). Also I went Lark! So very excited to go into one of my favourite shops.

In Healesville we took in the amazing scenery, stayed an ate at the very cool Healesville Hotel and admired native animals at the Healesville Sanctuary (the birds of prey show, lyrebird and dingoes were highlight and will try to blog more on them later).

In Melbs we went to ACMI like we said we'd do about 5 Melbourne trips ago. Lots of dumplings were crammed into our guts, trams were ridden and city blocks walked. Also got to check out Outre Gallery and bought a Tiki mug and was inspired by the glicee prints they had in there. I got some of my tattoos fixed up by my girl Jane at Chapel Tattoo (and got a tiny new one - couldn't help myself). Stef nearly beat this nerdy gamer guy at Streetfighter and watched Ironman 2 which I think were highlights for him. We got to hang with some of our fave people too (Roberto, Nick, Ben).

I've been crocheting lots and have a few projects on the go, cute potholders, granny square blanket is still going and some cotton washcloths. Photos later (oh yeah, all my cameras are broken)

Freaking out over the finale of LOST. Do I love it/hate it? dunno. All I'm sure of is that it was a friggen awesome ride and I'll miss it. Also watching: Press Gang, Dr Who, finales of 30 Rock and Fringe. So glad they're all finishing up for a while actually cause I need a little break from TV.

I've gotten some long-termish contracted jobs too which has spread me pretty thin but they allow me to get paid to be a lil creative and are a very welcome distraction from my day job at the moment.

I'm turning 27 on Saturday and having a little party and watching Eurovision. I'll be serving home-made sausage rolls and drinking cider by the fire. For the record I want Serbia to win and will dress accordingly. Also birthday wishlist includes: books about craft and textiles, magazine subscription to Frankie, gift voucher from Lark, 8ply wool in off-white, cute things esp. handmade and vintage, knick-knacks, dress making scissors, things to keep other things-in, large tin of olive oil.

I love you,

Goodbye Autumn, hello Winter. xx

This made me smile today

2010-04-29T19:45:00.000+09:30

(and it was a shitty day)

2010-04-27T21:24:00.000+09:30

Favourite Iconic TV shows of my childhood

2010-04-13T00:05:00.001+09:30

I love TV. I loved TV when I was younger too and it seemed somehow more special back then than now. I guess really when I was a kid it was the only visual exposure to the rest of the world (not in our immediate surroundings) that we had and it just seemed weirder, more foreign and that made it way cooler. Here's the shows that I feel had the most impact on me growing up.

Sesame Street
I have to start this list with Sesame Street even though by now it is clichéd but how could I not? I learnt so much from this show, like, how peoples family units differ, that 'W' is for Wilhelmina and its nice to rub cream on your body after you shower (Maria said that). The thing you realise when watching these clips now is that it must have been amazing for parents to watch too as so much of it was parody. It still fills me with joy to watch it and the animation and music was so incredible. Also Muppets!

Puddle Lane
I think I faked being sick many times over just to watch this. Interestingly though its wikipedia page says: For a pre-school series, Puddle Lane attracted a large cult audience of adults and teenagers, and has been described as "a lunchtime favourite of students, sickies and truants alike". How freaky is the opening theme music BTW?

Ramona
This show was not on for long and I haven't met anyone else in the world who can actually remember it. I can barely remember why I liked it so much - I think the title character 'Ramona' was a cute girl with some sass though. I remember sitting down to watch it one day and the cricket was on in its place. SO. FUCKING. ANGRY. Ramona never came back on and that is why to this day I hate cricket. It was the first time I had heard the term 'bangs' (for fringe) and also the saying 'making ends meet'.

The Mysterious Cities of Gold
Why I loved it: Ohhhh mystery, intrigue, magic cities made of gold. First cartoon crush on Esteban. Would act on scenes from this show (by myself - how sad). What girl didn't want to be Zia anyhow? Have bought it on DVD as an "adult" and was somewhat disappointed. I had it on a pretty high pedestal for a long time though...

T-Bag and the Pearls of Wisdom
This portion of kid shows that was on in the morning on ABC was so incredible and I would pay good $ to see all the other 'fillers' that were shoved in around all these other shows. I remember them being really creepy animations mostly. But anyway the T-Bag series was pretty creepy too.

Grimm Tales - narrated by Rik Mayall
This is why I love Youtube! You can find gems like these that you never think you'll be able to watch again! " Would you mind laying down in that muddy puddle while I walk over you? I don't want to get my horsies booties dirty!" LOLZ STILL GOLD

Jem and the Holograms
How amazing is the fashion in this show? I guess I liked it when I was younger but now? Even more so. Also I checked a bunch of the vids that are on youtube and I had know idea this was so such a serialised show. Some distribution company needs to get on this and release this shit on DVD stat!

Saved by the Bell
I adored feminist icon Jessie Spano. This clip (and now internet meme) of her caffeine pill freakout is from one of my favourite episodes. You know the one.

Gumby
Wasn't Gumby a weird arse show? Today I can appreciate it for what it is - a campy, colourful, kitsch-fest.

Press Gang
Linda, in my humble opinion is another feminist icon. She was a great TV role model. This show was amazing and I still think it's totally watchable. Dad bought me an old Olivetti typewriter that I used to play on (imitating 'the gang'). Steven Moffat who wrote Press Gang is great and has written some awesome Dr Who episodes. Also I think Julia Sawalha is to blame for my ill-fated primary school perm.

Ready or Not
It took me a while to remember what this show was called but I'll never forget why I liked it. The show started with a 'Parental Guidance' warning. That always means the show is going to be awesome. Amanda was the 'girly girl' and Busy was the 'tomboy' with all the brothers. Remember when Busy got her period first and was all down about it? Amanda was pissed because she hadn't gotten hers yet but ended up being the one to teach Busy how to insert a tampon because she'd been practicing for months? AMAZING!

Kids of Degrassi High/Degrassi Junior High/ Degrassi High
I'm going to end my main list with another obvious choice - the Degrassi Series. It was so controversial! And EDUCATIONAL! I can't remember the show being overly judgmental when it dealt with the more risqué topics (e.g. teen pregnancy, drug use, suicide, eating disorders, bullying, sex, peer pressure, abortion etc) and these stories were so relatable as they were always told from the point of view of the character in question and was never too preachy. We all remember Stefanie K, Spike's egg, Caitlin's epilepsy, Joey's dyslexia, Lucy's coolness, Kathleen's bulimia and so much more.

Add your faves in the comments!
______
It would be remiss of me not to mention the shows below but I think its pretty obvious why these shows also ruled:

You Can’t Do That on Television
Monkey Magic
The Smoggies
She-Ra
Duckula

The Trap Door
The Ferals - omg this is still funny you guys
Round the Twist

Five Faves - TV shows on rotation in our lounge room

2010-04-07T22:57:00.005+09:30

1. Lost - every Wednesday we wait for this baby to download. I'm starting to have anxiety over the fact that it's nearly all over. I got into late in the game and I was reluctant to (having caught bits of it as was totally baffled by it). (If you haven't watched it yet) Watch sequentially once it's all out on DVD and enjoy!

2. Fringe - like the X-Files but better I think. Has 'monster of the week' type vibe but with a solid underlying plot. Gets a tad formulaic half way through the 1st season but I've stuck with it and I'm really glad I have. Created by the Lost guy. Not the best-show-ever but I love it and I'm addicted none-the-less.

3. 30 Rock - every Friday is new 30 Rock day for us. You should know what this show is by now and why you should be watching it :D

4. The Sarah Silverman Program - obvs Sarah is hilarious but this show also wins because it has my fave on-screen gay couple on it, Brian and Steve.

5. Twin Peaks - I play Twin Peaks in the background during most of Autumn and Winter because in brings this mood to my loungeroom that creeps me out AND invigorates me at the same time.

For more top 5 faves visit meet me at mikes :D

1. Sorry don't know where this grab came from, 2. witnessgfx, 3. back of the cereal box, 4. via starpulse, 5. der, IGN

Cute/awesome stop motion

2010-04-07T18:53:00.002+09:30

Our house

2010-03-29T10:51:00.001+10:30

5 Faves

2010-03-28T21:29:00.006+10:30

1. Hot Chip's new album One Night Stand. So dancey it could be embarrassing except that they're so nerdy looking. And check this film clip:

Hot Chip - I Feel Better

Hot Chip | MySpace Music Videos

2. Printmaking lesson's with Cathy. I always seem to drop around when she's cooking something delicious. Last week she was making lebanese food. YUUUM! Plus check these out:

3. Crochet! Still on the granny squares and loving it. Also I've made 3 beanie type hats things. If you want one for winter I'm taking orders - actually friends, please let me know if you want one cause its good practice for me. Stef's is more beanie-like and mine is more beret-like. The other one I made was more on the rasta side of the scale. I'll put pictures up soon.

4. Crafternoon Excitement! 1st crafternoon get-together this Thursday. Will tell you all how good it was after it happens.

5. The boyf! I know it's sickening to admit that he'd probably be on every '5 faves' list that I'll ever make but this week I had my wisdom teeth out and he's been particularly the BEST EVER. He even made me a 'sick ringer' out of a cats bell and an old mustard jar.

Can I get a 'HELL YES'!?

2010-03-11T22:26:00.000+10:30

Har Mar Superstar Performs "Tall Boy" on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" - 10/26/2009 from Har Mar Superstar on Vimeo.

Green Porno

2010-03-09T20:55:00.002+10:30

Watch it! Watch it! Watch it!

I've been watching them all night. See them all here.

I am a puddle

2010-03-04T21:13:00.002+10:30

CUTE!

2010-02-18T23:41:00.001+10:30

Adobe Photoshop Cook from Lait Noir on Vimeo.

Real life pursuits

2010-02-07T22:49:00.009+10:30

I've been busy in 'real-life' too. That is, life not related to the interwebs. I've been doing textile-related stuff in order to reach the lofty goal of getting into a good textile design course next year. So I've been making felt, knitting and crocheting to familiarise myself with some of the easier, DIY techniques involved in making things. I've really taken to crocheting - mainly because of satisfaction I get from getting things done 'quickly' in comparison to say, knitting. Also I'll have a wicked cosy afghan rug by winter time. There are other reasons too - I've been a bit of a homebody and it's a prefect stay-at-home activity and my mum used to crochet all the time so it feels nice to be doing something she used to enjoy even though I learnt how to do it from youtube and blogs rather than from her.

This was the beginnings of my first granny square. Turned out to be a dud. Oh Well. There were a few duds in the end.

Getting the hang of it now. Wool's expensive y'all!

About 200 to go now...

Great DIY crafty links/inspiration if you're that way inclined:

YES!!

2010-02-05T00:19:00.000+10:30

Mixed Tape 04.02.10

2010-02-04T22:55:00.009+10:30

Mostly all newish music I'm listening to at the moment.

Crown on the Ground - Sleigh Bells

Rollerskate - Matias Aguayo

Take it in - Hot Chip

All Yr Songs - Diamond Rings

Warm Heart of Africa - The Very Best

Stillness is the Move - Dirty Projectors

International Player Anthem - Outkast

Odessa - Caribou

Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear

Pop, Lock & Drop it - Huey

It Ain't Gonna Save Me - Jay Reatard

Empire State of Mind - Jay-Z & Alicia Keys

Hell - Tegan and Sara

Tegan and Sara | MySpace Music Videos

Made a listenable playlist here. But poops lastfm didn't have the 'Odessa' or 'Hell' so click the link to download that song - it is really good.

Thank you internet for Die Antwoord

2010-02-04T22:45:00.005+10:30

These blogs/articles say it better than I could. Get ready to be impressed...

Die Antwoord - and introduction (buzz feed)

Die Antwoord is fake and so what? (videogum)

Aviva Yael likes Die Antwoord (everything is annoying)

Oh and their official website is beautiful

The 'Iron Butterfly' - for Jay

2010-02-03T23:28:00.004+10:30

Must makes!

2010-02-01T22:16:00.004+10:30

via dooby brain

artist unknown

via linsy

via mom & pop design

I hab a sol

2010-01-26T22:26:00.000+10:30

Vintage Christopher Walken = Dreamboat?

2010-01-23T20:54:00.002+10:30

Spotted at dlisted.com

An Evening with David Sedaris

2010-01-20T19:27:00.004+10:30

We saw David Sedaris on the Monday night just gone. He was hilarious and charming and I just love him.

He was doing book signings before and after the show - before the show we had to put our 'wandering bladder' and 'coffee lust' urges to rest, and by the time we got back the line was too long and the usher wouldn't let us tack on the end.

At the END of the show after much nervous thought about what the fuck we would say to him we decided we'd think of something or just stand there and be terrified so we raced up 3 floors to get to the line which was ALREADY ocupado by 100's of other people. We got in line but the good AND bad thing was he likes to talk to everyone he signs for and we had to leave early the next morning so we gave up after realising we'd be there till about 3am.

He read this story, which I had read before but was very glad to hear him read it out loud. We bought 'Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim' on CD for the 9 and 1/2 hour ride home and it made it fly by.

I was gonna use this post to recommend my favorite David Sedaris books but I can't pick a favourite - they're all damn good!

Video vs. actual song

2010-01-20T18:43:00.002+10:30

Video wins!

Tiki Party

2009-12-20T00:30:00.002+10:30

If only...

2009-12-18T15:58:00.002+10:30

By Gemma Correll

Best Music Video Ever?

2009-12-18T13:00:00.000+10:30

Major Lazer "Pon De Floor" from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.

Favourite funny guys

2009-10-08T22:41:00.004+10:30

Larry David

George Carlin

Jack Black

Paul Mooney

Stephen Colbert

Steve Carell

Dave Chapelle

Stef (t'naw)

Favourite funny ladies

2009-10-08T19:24:00.005+10:30

Wanda Sykes

Jennifer Saunders

Sarah Silverman

Judith Lucy

Margaret Cho

Tina Fey

Amy Sedaris

Amy Poehler

It's been along time - shouldn't have left you without hump-day treats

2009-10-07T21:08:00.010+10:30

This is what I've been into lately:

Having fun in capital cities
Just need to have fun in Melbourne and then the cycle is complete. Think we'll be in Melbourne early December (not that long now you guys). Sidebar: Really wanting to get 'out of town' for good and have a plan to work towards this so that's all good - but I am feeling pretty unmotivated agin - same old story - it will pass.
Madmen - extra props for best opening title for a show in years. Also props for best props!
Thrifting
Leggings (so 2007 I know)
Walking for fitness
Pointless craft and trinkets
Coffee
This song by Gang Gang Dance (Hotchip remix)
This all girl bike gang!
The word 'ishy'
Celebrities on twitter
Lists of things, like on oddee and listverse
Busting to see Good Hair

Zip it

2009-07-28T22:55:00.002+09:30

I don't know if this quote from Elle Macpherson has been taken out of context or what? Either way she's chosen her words rather poorly. e.g. "the concept of equal rights doesn't really sit with me". Of course she's talking about equal rights in regards to feminism but still...

...okay just read the guardian.co.uk interview in it's entirety just in case I was jumping the gun and I just got a little angrier. Yes, she also says "I'm somebody who truly honours femininity. And I believe in individuality, and uniqueness, and that's all I'm going to say on that." But yet not equality? What gives?

Also when asked why fashion has alienated larger women..."today larger women, or all different body types, are celebrated". I don't think so Elle, we're not there yet, not by a long shot. Her answers read as being very well thought out so I can't fault her for that. It's hard to put my finger on what it is that annoys me about her answers but I feel her privilege is definitely shining through here.

White Rabbit

2009-07-28T22:47:00.000+09:30

Photo JIM MARSHALL, 1967

Things I did today

2009-07-22T16:47:00.004+09:30

Image by Jaime Martinez

- Ate a handful of almonds instead of a handful of biscuits for morning tea.

- Found out that Supre has a oversized tank top that says "Shit happens, aye?" I loled, Wish I took a photo to show y'all.

- Bought a rice cooker.

- Made tuna mornay with stuff that was already in the house.

About to do:

- Go to the gym (balls!)

- Paint my nails

- Do some naughty online shopping

For you to do:

- Revel in the beauty that is Anjelica Huston

- Read your way through this list. I really want to but every-time I try to read one I get SO BORED. So far I have read one and one half of the books on this list (The Great Gatsby and One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest). I need to be more literary.

- Buy one of these (especially if you have to share an office with other ppl)

- Check out this spread of Helena christensen's New York apartment for inspiration.

- Nourish your soul with some roast lamb and vegetables with delicious gravy (my advice to Jx last night). Help cook it and it will taste even better.

Haven't blogged all week

2009-07-09T23:33:00.003+09:30

I haven't "lost interest" - just have had a soul-crushingly stressful week at work. Nothing I can talk about especially on here - but I'll just say it's been a draaain. In lieu of hump day treats I give you:

Some great looking cryptozoology drawings. The mermaid is the coolest.

A-Z list of Musicians on Twitter. Probs heaps missing.

Cheapest places to live in the world. Let's pack our bags!

Watched Wake in Fright this week. As it was filmed in Brokers they had a special screening for the locals - when it comes out nationally in a couple of months I URGE you to see it is is really really REALLY good!

People are still going on about Twilight - this Hipster Runoff post is pretty funny though.

Stef showed me the best thing EVER! The PAN-HANDLING CAT!

Does anyone even read this? Hellllooooo

Hump day treats #4

2009-07-01T00:24:00.000+09:30

Just a few things today because I'm sleeeeeepy guys....

Me at age 100 contest. Illustration by batamarang

The Uniform Project [via jezebel] Akanksha's very interesting project on 'sustainable fashion':

"Starting May 2009, I have pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Here’s how it works: There are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week. Every day I will reinvent the dress with layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which will be vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies. Think of it as wearing a daily uniform with enough creative license to make it look like I just crawled out of the Marquis de Sade's boudoir."

Because I've just re-watched the Big Lebowski, The Dude haiku generator

Interesting Marilyn Manson interview (what MM interview isn't really)

210 WTF tattoos (I think some of these are actually pretty cool) - thanks Stef for showing me.

Stuff I like and Things - CSS

2009-06-29T18:37:00.000+09:30

My Top Ten Favourite 'Girly' Movies

2009-06-29T16:22:00.002+09:30

Muriel's Wedding

What's good about it: Quote's like these - "we've told you a 1000 times how to do your hair, but you never listen. your fat, you wear the wrong clothes. you listen to 70`s music..THIS is the 90`s..we listen to the Baby animals..and Nirvana!", its ability to be hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time.

Mermaids

What's good about it: Rachel Flax's outfits, Christina Ricci's cuteness, its 'feel-goodery' Cher's hair, Cher's Sass, Cher.

10 Things I Hate About You

What's good about it: Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, it's a loose adaption of 'Taming of the Shrew', the shrewdness, Riot Grrly-ness. So friggen chessy though but this movie made it okay for tough grrrls to watch. And that poem bit (vid below) can't even watch it now cause it's so cringe worthy.

Now and Then:

What's good about it: Oh god! This movie is so cheesy the trailer gave me chills. I used to love all the bits of them riding their bikes. I wanted friends with bikes. One of those 'American childhood summer to remember' movies.

Romy and Michelle's Highschool Reunion

What's good about it: "I hope all your babies look like...monkies", Mira Sorvino's accent, all flashbacks (neck/back brace)

Bring it On

What's good about it: I think Stef like this movie more than me - he really wanted it in this list. But watching the trailer reminded me that 'yes', it was a really fun movie. It has cheerleaders, perky young thangs and the chick that played evil god 'Glory' in Buffy.

The Virgin Suicides

What's good about it: Dreamy soundtrack, Josh Hartnett, 1970's, blonde girls. There's something about this movie that makes it so enjoyable for me to watch and I don't really know what it is.

Welcome to the Dollhouse

What's good about it: Poor Dawn Weiner! No other good bits necessary!

Clueless

What's good about it: Paul Rudd, Cher is STILL cute even 13 years later. Also great soundtrack.

Mean Girls

What's good about it: Damien and Janice, Lilo is actually great in this movie, girls ARE really that mean, the "army of skanks" bit, the dialogue is so funny, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Tim Meadows.

More great 'girly' films: Amelie, Pretty Woman, Beaches, Grease, American Pie 1 and 2, Witches, Girl Interrupted, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Hairy Bird, Never Been Kissed,

It feels WEIRD today!

2009-06-27T09:04:00.001+09:30

Do you feel weird too?

Written in Sand

2009-06-25T23:33:00.001+09:30

Photo by Mitten Melee

By My_Space_Monkey

By Hanine J

By PNI

Hump day treats #3

2009-06-24T12:49:00.001+09:30

Above gif/photo by Jaime Martinez and more at fffffffffffftttttttt

Rich at fourfour thinks Perez Hilton is "bad for the Internet, bad for gay people, bad for the world". Great rant! Perez is a dick. You guys know about him calling will.i.am am "faggot" right?

Interesting food art by Edith Zimmerman

10 fantastic futuristic materials that exist and my favourite, the invisibility cloak!!

Possibly the best tree house ever can someone please give it me now? More amazing tree-houses here.

Thanks Verne for showing me this great little product, the KeepCup. Reminds me of the DivaCup though, which isn't the best association to have with something you ingest (but it too is environmentally responsible).

Has anyone ever noticed how wanky celebs sound when they do their itunes playlists? I probs sound just as wanky really.

And some sad/fucked up news.

You've probably already seen the coffee filter prom dress but if you haven't please look, it's so cute.

This Empire Online 'Cryptic Canvas' game kept me entertained for a couple of hours last week. A great time killer though.

Short documentary about Why we Wax.

Mondays - the start of a new week

2009-06-23T13:45:00.000+09:30

Drawing by the amazing Georgia Peach

Another week you guys. Well before I get to how I got through last week these were my low points (short and sweet):

Stef was on afternoon shift and I was lonely.
Still stressed re: the cat situation
Have not gotten to the gym much this week (for various reasons)
Work related thingamies

On the upside:

Going to the gym - I like most people hate going but once I'm there I'm fine and then once I leave I'm amazing.
Getting some ambition back, slowly I'm feeling kinda creative right now and work wise I feel sort happy and I can actually see some kind of future doing what I'm doing but MORE if you know what I mean. We'll see...
Daydreaming about some cool things I was going to do (both a +/-)

Got some new music which really helped when I went walking this week. Here's my playlist (not a good version of The Mercy Seat on this player thingy:

TGIF 1#

Fa-fa-fa-fashion

2009-06-22T19:32:00.000+09:30

I don't pertain to know a lot about fashion really. Besides what America's Next Top Model tells me I don't know squat about the fashion industry. But I DO know that I LOVE it and I also HATE it. I was never much of a 'Vogue' girl no matter how much I wanted to be. I do think that I'd make a great stylist though. At one stage in my life I did make my own clothes (sold a few pieces too) and had dreams of being a fashion designer - I think I was just 'trying it on' though. ha. I know what I like and I like to think that I know what looks good. Unfortunately at the moment I'm not really catered for by a lot of fashion labels - but I don't know that I'd want to get into anything that calls itself 'plus-sized' either - then I'd really feel like a heifer. Actually come to think of it, I was a ton more adventurous and creative with my clothes when I was a size 10/small. I need to snap out of this mentality that I can't wear what I want because I'm a larger dress size than before. Shit if Beth Ditto can do it? This year I swam all summer which I haven't done for years so I'm getting back to the 'normal' me. Anyway I digress, this blog was just meant to be a list of fashion labels I like so here we go:

* Photo by Pierre Toussaint

Gorman - organic cotton, comfy, super cute, simple, sale online atm, LOVE IT! * Photo by Christopher Morris via girl.com.au

Young Lovers - cute but slightly dorkified T-shirts for the guys. Stef might like these.

Karen Walker - Winter 09 full of great coats, tunics and pinafores (I love that stuff!). *Photo from karenwalker.com

Limedrop - means and women's, hip yet accessible clothing, not toooo expensive. They do cute tees too. I have a shirt by the (the purple one with the bear that also looks like a padlock).

Alice McCall - great party dresses, tight squeeze for me though...almost!

They're all Australian (except for kiwi Karen Walker) designers and there's a lot of other local designers that are amazing, this is what I'm into right now I guess. If there's anything you think I'd like send me a link.

* Photos by Pierre Toussaint

My Top Ten Favourite 90's Movies

2009-06-18T15:06:00.000+09:30

I guess part of the reason I'm writing this is because I haven't watched hardly any new movies lately - not in years really accept for the odd 'frat-pack' film and it's made me reminisce. Okay, just to clarify these were my Top Ten favourite movies during the 90's not what I think now to be the best movies of the 90's but these were my movie obsessions back then. They're in no particular order.

1. A League of Their Own (1992) - Madonna, Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Lori Petty (Tank Girl!! - can't believe I left that off this list), Rosie O'Donnell, Jon Lovitz. I don't really need to say much else. I remember that I loved Madonna's sluttiness, Rosie's sass and Geena's cheekbones.

2. Interview with the Vampire (1994) - I watched this when I was about 11 and it was years before I read the book (I was 11...what book?). I loved Louis (Brad Pitt) and Lestat (Tom Cruise) and wanted to be one of their victims so bad. Remember all the stuff in the gossip mags (no internet) at the time about how it was Kristen Dunsts' first kiss? [Also off topic but related Juliette Lewis lost her virginity to Brad Pitt.] Thus starts my love of the vampire.

3. The Craft (1996) - The Craft's tagline was "It's Carrie meets Clueless" - how awesome does that sound? Before you know it every girl under sixteen identified as 'wiccan' and was buying shitloads of incense, crystals and candles from TLC (hippy shop that's no longer open for any non-locals reading) myself included. This also kicked off my Def FX/Fiona Horne phase. I googled Fairuza Baulk a while ago because I found her fascinating and did you know she was Dorothy in Return to Oz? Now THAT was a great movie.

4. Empire Records (1995) - I HATE this movie now it's so corny, in fact it's embarrassing for me to include this on this list, and it's embarrassing for me to be embarrassed about it. At the time I loved how pretty Liv Tyler was and the grungy/preppiness of her little outfit, all the cute boys, the cool music that I probably had never heard before. The movie however did unleash Renee Zellwegger into an unsuspecting world.

5. Dazed and Confused (1993) - An unhealthy obsession with Parker Posey is born. Love her! And what a bitch she was in this movie. Actually this movie is full of cool people; Adam Goldberg, Ben Affleck, Matthew McConaghy (c'mon he's hilarious in it) and Milla Jovovich, who isn't that 'cool' now but I remember thinking she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. This movie made me wish I was a teen in the 70's America. It made getting drunk and stoned look really fun too. Trivia: Beck's wife (and Giovanni Ribisi's sister) plays Cynthia.

6. Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) - My friend Ash and I were so young when we were obsessed with this movie that we used play/act out 'Buffy' and we'd argue over who got to 'be' Buffy. Who could blame us for wanting to be the 'chosen one'? The soundtrack which I took for granted back then is awesome and the tagline is awesomer: 'Pert. Wholesome. Way Lethal'. I know there are loads of 'valley girl' type character that precede Buffy but this must have been the first one I ever saw. This movie is nowhere near as good as the TV series but I figure they're completely different animals. Check out the amazing valley girl speak that was used in the movie though: "Excuse much! Rude or anything!?" and "Does the word 'duh' mean anything to you?" and I'm totally going to bring back the saying: "Get out of my facial!"

7. Pulp Fiction (1994) - Still a great movie obviously and at the time I had never seen anything like it. Things I loved about it: Uma Thurman - everything about her character was fantastic, the whole part with 'The Wolf', the music, Eric Stoltz's character and the whole 'non-linear' thing that Tarantino does blew my mind. Haven't watched this in ages - not since the last time I tried to show it to Gina.

8. The Crow (1994) - I really need to watch this one again. Haven't seen it in nearly fifteen years!! It's not at the video store either so I this is what I remember about why I liked it: Hunky Brandon Lee, great music that I'd never listened to before - It prompted my 'gothling' phase, it was a love story, was about revenge and killing 'bad' people, the fact that Brandon Lee died during filming made it all the spookier, meaningful and intriguing. It's essentially a superhero movie (it was adapted from a comic book series) and set in a dystopian version of Detroit. I usually hate that kind of setting in movies this (and Sin City) seem to be the exception.

9. Reality Bites (1994) - This movie annoys me somewhat these days (mainly because of Winona Ryder) but again this movie was the bees knees to me. There are loads of things I loved about this movie; the cool, hip twenty-somethings 'finding themselves', 'hot' and 'grungy' Ethan Hawke, Janeane Garafalo, Sammy coming out to his parents, "Evian is naive spelt backwards", Vickie's black book, that game they were playing to the show 'Good Times' while smoking cones, the whole MTV plot, My Sharona. It completely romanticised the whole 'slacker' thing to me and I consider myself a combination Gen X/Y because of this movie.

10. Mallrats (1995) - I watched this movie again especially because I couldn't remember what I liked so much about it...and I'm still not really sure but I guess it was that whole grungy, gen-X slacker thing again. The soundtrack was exactly what I was into at the time (and is still pretty listenable now). Other reasons (I guess) I liked it: "there is no Easter bunny!", Jay and Silent Bob (before we were completely over saturated by them), cute Jason Lee, the Magic Eye scene and Shannon Doherty being in the cast. Seeing it now, one word I can use to describe it is 'juvenile' but I was a juvenile when I was into it so that's okay.

Honorable mentions (some of these ARE the best movies of the 90's) : High School High, Friday, Don't be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, Clerks, The Big Lebowski, Fargo, My Girl, Forrest Gump, American Beauty, What's love got to do with it, Tank Girl, Cruel Intentions, Terminator 2, The Good Son, Reservoir Dogs, Goodfellas, The Wedding Singer, Happy Gilmore, Billy Madison, Wayne's World, Boogie Nights, Sister Act, Trainspotting.

Hump day treats #2

2009-06-18T01:30:00.000+09:30

You must visit this amazingly cute blog that chronicles the adventures of a couple of baby teeth 'ickle' and 'Lardee'. I'll put it in the pile of 'wish I had thought of this myself' along with the slanket and other things'. Photo courtesy of mymilktoof

Can't remember how I found this but it's better than it sounds. If you visit make sure you watch the vid of Hwang Mi Hee. Pretty amazing. These chicks should do a workshop of the next round of ANTM. I'm pretty sure they could give Benny Ninja a run for his money.

Hilariously terrible glamour shots. I don't think I've EVER seen a good glamour shot (except so bad it's good). Wish I had some done when I was younger though - for show and tell.

Interesting Yuppies vs. Punks experiment on Vice (something good for once Vice, you've been totally off my radar lately).

Remember 'Microbes' those cute plushie toys in the shape of things like the common cold and E. Coli? Well seems you can get them in the petri dish version now. Wants it now!

Writer Kate Harding's very awesome BMI project demonstrating how absurd BMI calculations are (they don't factor fat to muscle ratio).

Also this photo is a real treat cause it's so good I was gonna hold off and give it a post of it's own but I can't wait!

Photo courtesy of shadowplay

What I'm into this week

2009-06-17T14:16:00.000+09:30

Long acrylic nails!!! I don't have them on, but I WANT them. Not as long as in the picture but long still. Next time I'm in a capital city I think I'll be getting some 'hoefest '92' falsies.

Fresh flowers - I've always loved them but I got a bunch of Jonquils/Fresia's the other day from Thom, Dick and Perry's the other day and now I need a bunch every week.

Cooking - I think it's winter but lately I've been cooking more food than I can actually eat. Fave new dish that I've made is probably moussaka. Making heaps of delicious soups too, I'm only realising now that it's not that hard to do. Plus it mean we stick to our take-away ban.

Not sure if it's the fact that we just watched Forgetting Sarah Marshall, that we've been re-watching LOST or that the other day I stumbled across this but I am totally into Hawaii right now.

This outfit:

ZOMG this:

Am thrilled to bits at this upcoming Peaches single. ^^ And if you haven't watched the clip yet you totally should because it's hilarious. Jerri Blankish looking Peaches does disco = love it.

What I'm NOT into is how much I'm missing all my friends that have moved away. All I want to do is dance with you guys. *sob*

Broken Hill is full of...

2009-06-15T23:05:00.000+09:30

pubs vs. RSL-type 'clubs'
committees
people fundraising for things
dust vs. minerals
pavers vs. cracker dust
three-corner-jacks vs. burrs
people doing laps vs mountain bikers
poor people vs rich people
snobs vs. bogans
cars with stickers on the back window that say things like 'bitch'
quartz vs. mica
jacaranda trees vs.gum trees
gambling addicts vs. alcoholics
pot vs. amphetamines
old timers vs. young-ins
apathy
nice sunsets
flies vs. termites
take-away franchises
people that know each other vs. cousins
Bros/joy boys vs. Girls that get into fights

Hump day treats

2009-06-10T15:15:00.000+09:30

Comic-book writer Brian Lynch has an amazing theory that 30 Rock is a massive rip-off of the Muppet Show. Read here.

Having just adopted a second kitty (who's currently wedged between moi and the heater) I feel I must link you to the story of Melvin, a 12 week old teacup himalayan (sad but you should read anyway - our ignorance is not his bliss).

Hipster Runoff's 'The Arm'

Weirdest, most coolest thing I've found on the internet in weeks, maybe even months. Upload your photo now!

Oh how much did I love Saved by the Bell when I was younger? A shitload let me tell you. Actually I preferred it to 90210. Check this vid [via Jezebel] of Zack Morris being interviewed by Jimmy Fallon. Funny!

'Awesomely bad unicorn tattoos' gallery the title of this photo gallery on holytaco.com needs no further explanation. 'Tis a feast for the eyeballs.

Like a Boss

2009-05-25T16:30:00.000+09:30

Hilarious!