Inspiration: Robin Derrick

Cut Flowers 2 (2008). Source: robinderrick.com

Cut Flowers 1 (detail) 2008. Source: robinderrick.com

Cut Flowers 4 (2008). Source: robinderrick.com

A cider called Colin

How many puns can you make with the word "cider"?..Quite a few as it turns out (but none which are worth repeating).

We discovered this on Saturday as we sat drinking home-made cider and attempting to create a bit more. This involved five people, two juicers, something called "yeast killer" and about 45 kilos of crisp winter fruit.

ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

I'm a little ashamed to see how long it's been since I've last written. Over a month, in fact.

Since then, a couple of developments have resolved themselves. After several fraught weeks of organising and a crazy weekend of moving, I'm now out of the apartment which had been my home for the last seven years.

My old room, looking so bare and foreign

One thing that I will never do again is reject an offer to help with moving or painting - no matter how unwitting that offer may be. I couldn't have imagined how big a task moving was (and how much stuff I had accumulated), so I've very thankful for the help that I did have.

During that time, I also signed a contract to purchase a new apartment, discovered that the contract was invalid and promptly withdrew my offer. I'm now technically homeless, but with most of my belongings in storage and no contracts holding me down, I'm enjoying feeling liberated - if only for a while. I've learnt a lot about purchasing real estate, real estate agents and home loans in the process.

Now looking forward to settling down for a bit, getting out and about a bit more again - and blogging more!

Good-Gorman: it's a warehouse sale!!

For anyone who like a sale, the Gorman warehouse sale was the bomb-diddly of all sales. Walking through the gates of what shall forever be known in my mind as "Gorman Land", I felt like Charlie entering the Chocolate Factory for the first time. A huge room and a whole outdoor courtyard were sprawled with an abundance of brightly-coloured skirts, pretty dresses, sequinned tops and high heels - all at amazing prices.

My first instinct was to run desperately into the fray and wrench a pair of delightful, high-waisted cotton-lace shorts from a student with tortoiseshell glasses and a top-knot. But I refrained. After all, there was plenty to go around for everyone. Literally, plenty.

A subdued tension permeated the air as hundreds of women stalked their prey, carrying bundles of hoarded items. An occasional man languished on the periphery or attempted to assist in the search for the perfect item.

I really, really wanted the leather platforms pictured above. In fact, I had pined for them when they first came out in-store. Thankfully my mother convinced me that an extra 10cm of height would make me, well, literally have to look down on most people. I would be a well-dressed and thrifty gargantuan-lady, but a bit scary all the same.

As the red fog of sale-panic gradually subsided, I managed to escape with only a dress, a silk onesie...and of course, those high waisted shorts. Keep an eye out for future warehouse sales on Three Thousand. I highly recommend a visit.

Time to move on...

A girl in a cute outfit at the Gorman sale. She's got the right idea: keep it moving.

The past couple of weeks have swept in some very big changes. Changes which, if all goes well, could be very exciting. Keep you fingers crossed for me!

In the meantime, here's a few things that have been keeping me happy.

Sugar can be good for you...

Better than wax, anyway.

Last night I tried "sugaring", the traditional, home-made alternative to waxing. I don't have any pictures (because I was busy sugaring) - but I still have to report on the success of my experiment.

After doing a bit of reading, I started with this recipe but reduced it by a quarter. The recipe is so simple:

• white sugar;
• lemon juice; and
• water,

in proportions of 8:1:1, respectively. While it was boiling, I watched the mixture like a hawk and stirred continuously until I had a dark-caramel, sweet-smelling, bubbling mixture. To test the consistency, I dropped it into a glass of cold water and took it off the heat when it 'balled up' in the water.

When the mixture had cooled down sufficiently (by which I mean that it was not too hot when I applied it on the back of my hand - not just when I touched it with my finger) I experimented with a little bit on my leg. I used a strip of an old sheet as the backing. I think that it's best to do this in the bathroom where you can splash water around (and because tiles are easiest to clean sugar-mixture off!) 

In short, I found it far less painful and much easier than traditional at-home waxing. I've you've got an extra 20 minutes to cook up a sweet, toffee-like concoction and you don't mind DIY waxing, this is definitely worth a try.

I've been doing my own touch-ups for years with wax strips, which (in retrospect) seemed to stick to the skin as aggressively as they did to the hair itself. The sugar 'wax' on the other hand, peels right off the skin with minimal pain. And the best thing; it can be washed off the skin! Once you've made yourself a batch you can also re-heat and re-use it - the only precaution is really making sure that it's cool enough before you apply it to the skin. However, if it's still a bit hot (or if you make a mistake) you can just run it under water and it melts right off. And to top it all off, it uses ingredients which are cheap and readily available. Brilliant!

If you're interested, try this recipe here: http://www.ehow.com/way_5479075_homemade-sugaring-recipe.html or experiment with other online variations, such as those containing honey. Just make sure to see if you like it with a small batch first. Good luck!

Great-Grandmother's Bad-Hair-Day Fix

When I have a 'bad hair day' I usually turn to the trusty silk scarf to hid my laziness, lack of inspiration or lateness. However, for the most extreme days, I've just discovered the 1920s classic - the turban. The ladies back then knew what they were doing - this little gem hides it all in mere seconds.  In addition, it can also be a cute evening look with big earrings or a bold necklace. I've been zealously experimenting with variations:

"The Everyday"...Roots? What roots?!

Never contend with boring conversation at parties ever again. Just pull your (preferably bejewelled) turban down, smile and  have another drink.

"The Rio"

Rave: natural self tanner

Summer or winter, I find it hard to put aside my tanner. For my skin, things just look a little bit better, bronzer.

However, I'm not so keen on the weekly application of preservatives, thickeners, slip agents, fragrances and colours. So I was delighted when I found Caribbean Solutions Beach Colours self tanner - a simple, natural formulation that smells like watermelon and bronzes with the best of them.

The Latest

A few quick, easy creative pieces that have been keeping me occupied.

Painted collar-tips, inspired by Cue's winter collection. 

Stick the Orchid languishing on his new pedestal, made entirely from old Marie Claire magazines.  From this awesome video. 

My starburst mirror with the addition of kitchen skewers (and painted black). If I get bored of it, I can still use it as a wonderful centrepiece for bits of fruit, or perhaps barbecued meat.

The stylish Northerners

There's no denying it. Those Sydney-siders know how to have a good time.

Cockatoo Island

Happy Easter!!

Is it that time already?...

I love that we have a holiday where we indulge in all the sweet things in life. Why not soak it up with a trip to the indulgent Hopetoun tearooms in Melbourne city...Lime tart with your easter egg, anyone?!

Work/Time

The other day I was early for an appointment. Properly, 15 or 20 minutes early. This hasn't occurred in possibly 18 months or more.

To use up a bit of time, I grabbed a takeaway coffee and went for a short stroll. While I was admiring the neighbourhood and generally giving myself a pat on the back for being so damn organised, it occurred to me how nice it was to have nothing to do. Nowhere to be. No-one to see. No rushing. For at least 15 minutes.

Temporary tattoo from my favourite, Tattly. For some reason, this one really took my fancy.

J Crew finally in Australia

On Thursday morning I woke up to some great news. Aussies can now get their fix of all-American style, gorgeous cashmere knits and ballet slippers in every variety from the ubiquitous J Crew store. Yay!!

Screenprint from www.jcrew.com/womens-clothing.msp

To do: Rock-climbing by the Yarra

Breathe. Hold. Stretch across. Now, up or down? Blue or Green?...Or perhaps a scenic walk by the river and a coffee instead?

Walking like an Egyptian / Rhesus Monkey

Gritty television

It's been a long time since I've heard the word "grits" in the context of breakfast...Perhaps not since I read something by Dickens or Louisa May Alcott, in fact. Nevertheless, it turns out that grits are particularly delicious when eaten with pistachio and pomegranate and washed down with a glass of bubbles in the former executive offices of the Channel 9 studios in Richmond.

Every weekend for the month of March, you too can try Dickensian delicacies, or if you prefer, something savory like pulled pork rolls, in the Graham Canteen at 22 Bendigo Street, Richmond.

Important decisions being made at "Condiments"

The canteen, which takes its name from the Channel 9 personality Graham Kennedy, is part of the "Richmond Weekender", a pop-up initiative taking place in the beautiful old Channel 9 studios. From the end of March, the studios will be turned into apartments, so I strongly recommend a weekend visit before this happens.

If you're not feeling hungry (really?! Not even a wafer of angus beef brisket?), check out the Speakeasy Cinema - open every Saturday until March 31st. And although it's all temporary, I loved the devotion to detail, such as the Aesop hand-wash in the porta-loos and the sustainable 'Bio-Cups'. High-five to all involved.

"This isn't golf, ladies"

No, it's indoor skiing.

It's new, it's difficult, it's fast and a bit scary - and I'm irreconcilably addicted only after one lesson.

Slightly hungover, sweating like a beast and grinning from ear to ear

3 more days only: Greenhouse by Joost for MFWF

Last Friday we headed down to check out the Greehouse by Joost Bakker, a sustainable bar and cafe that has popped up on the banks of the Yarra River during Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.

After a short wait, we were ushered into the upstairs bar, with stunning views of the river over recycled barrels brimming with herbs. We washed down delicious, sticky muffins with beer and a fresh white wine, all served in recycled  packaging. I was delighted with the unfailing, dedicated and creative attitude towards sustainability that pervaded the whole building - from the construction to the toilets. Just a short walk from Melbourne CBD, it's worth a look before it disappears forever.

Rave: Inika Natural Perfection Concealer

I discovered the Inika brand a little while ago, and I've been meaning to write a review about it ever since. First though, let's let President Obama give it a crack. He sums up my feelings for the Inika and their Natural Perfection Concealer perfectly. In fact, he probably was talking about them.

Oh! Oh Land

How did I not know about the fabulous Nanna Øland Fabricius earlier? She's the girl you wished you'd grown up next door to (and whose clothes you could borrow). That voice!.. Those bangs!.. Those balloons!!

A walk after the rain

The other day in Topshop I noticed a gorgeous, bright yellow men's rain jacket. I liked it's boxy, masculine cut, which would work equally well with some old jeans and a pair of gumboots as it would with a pretty floral dress, cruising around town on the bike...I'm tempted - particularly as autumn sets in.

Skin detox: saying yes to less

Caught without brightening balm? Sans serum? Or stuck overnight without under-eye cream?
Don't panic. A lack of product doesn't always have to be a problem.

By the time that I get through all of these anti-ageing products, I'll be 60

The Lady Awaits...

Put on your Sunday best and get out the fine silver, because the neighbourhood just got classy...

A relaxing ritual

I'm a big fan of oil...Olive oil, fish oil, argan oil - all sorts of oil. But my favourite oil of all time is massage oil.

I keep a bottle of pure, simple sweet almond oil in my beauty cabinet and use it as a facial cleanser, makeup remover, muscle rub and all-over moisturiser. Combined with a few drops of essential oil, it becomes a mini beauty ritual of its own. My favourite scents are:

• Geranium to sooth the nerves;
• Peppermint and lemon for sore muscles;
• Jasmine to feel pretty;
• Lemon to start the day; and
• Lavender and chamomile to end it.

There's something insanely soothing about a DIY facial massage with lavender-scented oil at the end of the day. And as a bonus it takes off makeup and leaves your skin looking and feeling amazing. Now that's good oil.

28 days later

Little pleasures from December/January:

Punch from the Island Bar, Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour. (More to come on that later)

Go-Go bar below Chin Chin, Melbourne City....Does neon ever grow old?!

Home-made Fleur de sel Caramels: recipe from www.nytimes.com/2005/12/21/dining/211mrex.html via Cupcakes & Cashmere blog. Very delicious and recommended!

Above: Christmas puddles. Such torrential rain through the end of December!

Birthday dinner for my brother at the Aylesbury. Start with a drink on the rooftop, then (if you're in a pair) try and sit on the kitchen bench and watch the chefs at work. Magic!

And finally, just for fun:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/25-pictures-of-cats-and-dogs-photobombing-each-oth

More charm, less makeup

A new year; a new flurry of hair/beauty/fashion predictions. It's refreshing and fun to spring-clean the beauty regime and experiment with the raft of new products and ideas hitting the shelves. However, it sometimes feels that this new year predictiveness quickly turns into new year prescriptiveness. It's suddenly irresponsible to leave the house without primer, your newfangled eyelash curler or that new eye serum. We're trading gloss for matte - wait, no now it's tangerine lips for red - and pining for things we never knew we needed.

Source: awelltraveledwoman.tumblr.com

To do: work-out, old-school style

It's been a beautiful weekend and Monday has kicked in hard. However, this Saturday, we discovered something to brighten the otherwise dreary weekday fitness regime. It's the Princes Park training gym.

For a 'Championship' effort, Princes Park recommends that you wear 3-stripe pants and a 70s tee.

Librarian chic: $30,000 for a library sciences degree - OR just $7 for these removable collars!

Christmas has come and gone, leaving some bad habits lingering in its wake. For me, these are over-eating, and over-shopping.

Realistically, I'm quite happy to indulge in both for as long as possible. However, with my wallet left dry after all the festivities, shopping is not really on the menu. In desperation (and leaning very heavily on Refinery 29 for inspiration), I've been pursuing other, DIY methods of satisfying my consumer itch. Ta Daaaa!!! Removable collars:

Studies show that removable collars and glasses make you smarter. Look - I can now read French!!
(Red collar with vintage brooch / Weekdays shirt)

Just what you've been looking for in 2012: it's cowgirl-biker chic for cocktail hour!
( Black collar with studs / 'Exhibitionist' lipstick by Chi Chi (with gloss) / vintage velvet bodice)

Duck boots: hot or not?

News just in (ish) from the US...

A cosy, utilitarian (and somewhat awkward) boot that's been kicking around for ages has now become the footwear of choice for young hipsters.

...Sound familiar?..

No, I'm not talking about the old ugg boot. This is the duck boot.

Happy New Year!!

I hope you've had a brilliant festive season, with lots of love and hugs. I'm almost at the end of my holidays and I'm marvelling at how relaxed and creative I feel again. My New Year's Resolutions are often very vague and wishywashy, but this year I've resolved be to hold on to that feeling...somehow!

I have heard many people say that 2011 was the year of hard work and unfinished projects, and I have to agree. It was therefore with some glee that I saw the year out, standing on a beach with wine glass and sparklers in hand. Hopefully 2012 can be a year for enjoying the fruits of those labours, enjoying fun times and catching up with lots more friends.

In the spirit of 2012 predictions, I'm thinking/hoping that last year's penchant for the good ol' "colour blocking" will translate into a bit less 'blocky' and a bit more 'washy' this year. I'm talking pastels people. They have floated in and out for a while, but hopefully it will catch on properly in 2012. I have my eye on some new skinny jeans in mint or melon. Sorbet anyone??