The Grates are great

The Grates are back!! I am positively tickled pink, as it’s been two years since their last release; finally they have a brand-spanking-new album coming out.

Though they are minus their adorable drummer (who has enrolled in a culinary school in NYC), their first single oozes with a sound synonymous with The Grates [Translation: Solid high hats, loose guitar and sweaty, manic, animalistic good times].

[Cake for goodness sake]

They haven't released any of the music online, but they are keeping a delightfully zany blog - Hate Creep.

Now I'm going to sink into their back catalogue and relive some memories of their live shows, cue montage of thrones, animal costumes, hula hoops, rhythmic gymnastics.

tea and toast please

Reading Jane Brocket’s blog is like sipping a cup of tea and munching warm toast – it’s delightful, simple, refreshing, homely and hits the spot every time.

[tea and toast]

Jane’s blog is a treasure trove of recommendations for books, yarn, films, thread, bulbs, quilts and most importantly afternoon tea destinations. My mouth is drooling in anticipation of visiting:

- Albion

- Peggy Porschen Parlour

- Baker & Spice

Happy Mondays

A more perfect day couldn't be found, even if you looked under the couch cushions.

Yes i will gloat, as doesn't that just put the icing on the cake that is called life?

- A bout of boisterous dancing to Cee Lo Green's new song "F%$^ you" during a cardio kickbox workout

I may be jumping the gun here, but i'dput money on it taking out the number one spot in the Hottest 100

- Breakfast of creamy Rice porridge topped with pear, blueberries and sour cherries

- Finding unticketed parking in Rozelle

- Adriano Zumbo's sweet french bread Berry, almond, custard pastry for morning tea

- Finding brand new pale blue, distressed skinny Country Road jeans for $25 at the Red Cross Store - booyah! Preventing landfill, charitable donations and cheap jeans in one fall swoop

- Befriending a beautiful cardigan to wear at a wedding on the weekend

- Coffee and Pear & Blueberry buttercake for lunch at Bourke Street Bakery

- Lastly its Monday and i didn't have to slip into the weary role of gainfully employed and productive citizen for the day...thank golly gosh for ADO's