Partner in crime

[photo via: Fashion gone rogue]

Everyone needs a partner in crime.

My sister is mine.

We don't hesitant in pulling out "the shopping trolley", "sprinkler" or "christmas tree" at any given moment - not even a down pour could stop us during Yacht Club DJ's at Sunset Sounds.

She isn't addicted to running or Greek Yogurt like I am. She's addicted to cheesy action flicks circa 1980s such as this, this and this. Though she loves Nancy Mitford just as much as I do. She's also an amazing cook.

So say hello to my sister Mishy, as she'll be baking, sauteing and flambéing you something soon.

Obituary

[photo via: flowereye]

An ode to the original portable audio player - the Walkman - from a generation of cassette kids.

Birth: 1979

Death: April 2011

Born Ruffians

Born Ruffians + Jinja Safari @ Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (03/01/2011)

Remember the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters? With it’s flabby, rotund belly of marshmallow that “terrifies (anyone) beyond the capacity of rational thought”.

When I saw the Born Ruffians play at Laneway two years ago, it sounded like they were playing from inside the gut of Mr. Stay Puff. The sound was so muffled it was almost impossible to make out the songs, despite having listen to the album “Red, Yellow & Blue” with somewhat overzealous vigor that summer.

Unfortunately the whole festival was marred by horrendous acoustics, with the sound engineers having to shepherd sound waves through the narrow laneways of glass and steel.*

Needless to say I was peachy keen to see the Born Ruffians in the intimate surrounds of OAF.

Up first were Sydney based band Jinja Safari, who did exactly what any warm up band is paid to do – get the crowd in the mood. The room was pulsating with their playful concoction of rhythmic jungle beats, island guitar, calypso keys, and layered vocals. The crowd returned the favor by with vigorous dancing and a chorus of animal sounds.

While their musical influences are so numerous and eclectic, each song was a tightly crafted pop gem. It’s hard to believe that they only played their first live show in May 2010 – they are definitely a band to watch out for in 2011.

The crowd stepped their energy levels up a notch when the Born Ruffians took to the stage. The dancing was so vigorous during the opening number “Foxes Mate for Life” - Mitch Derosier (bass) queried whether the crowd would be able to maintain their enthusiasm by the time song ten rolled around.

The band were left in no doubt of the stamina of Sydneysiders, as they danced manically throughout the 90minute set, which covered a tasty blend of older songs such as “Little Garcon”, “Hummingbird” and “Hedonistic Me” to newer songs “What to Say” and “Sole Brother”.

[photo via: Charlotte Zoller]

Beach House

Yikes! This is someone's holiday home.

I wonder if they would invite me around to housesit....

Burnt by Bland

With the Boxing Day sales in full swing, I’ve attempted to be frugal by grabbing whatever I need for the upcoming odyssey – tents, rucksacks, sleeping mats etc. all with more features than a cosmetic surgeons catalogue.

However I made the unfortunate mistake of riffling through “adventure clothing”. Ugh my eyes have been burnt by the blandness.

I know after six months of camping across Iran, Pakistan, India and China I’m going to look haggard and careworn. But I can’t help but yearn for beehive hairdos and impractically pretty dresses.

[via: Noona going retro]

[Via: Bobbins and Bombshells]

Eargasm

I'm frothing at the mouth in anticipation of the week ahead.

Monday: Born Ruffians at OAF

Wednesday + Thursday: Sunset Sounds

[bubbles and palms]

Friday: State Library of Queensland + Queensland Art Gallery

[Céleste Boursier-Mougenot's guitar playing finches]

Saturday: Sydney Festival First Night

Sunday: Sleep.

2011

[NYE 1956]

The New Year commmenced in typical Sydney style. A dip at the beach to wash the weary taint of work away, followed by a flurry of fireworks and barbequed snags.

A quick scramble for resolutions somehow evolved into a neat little list of ideas.

Ideas vague enough to convince myself that I haven’t let things fall by the wayside:

1. Smile at strangers

2. Don't use reading a book as an excuse to not accept social invites