Monday, April 26, 2010

Lest We Forget

Image from here

Yesterday, in Australia & New Zealand, it was ANZAC Day.  
Each year on the 25th of April, we honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in WWI.
In Australia, ANZAC Day is a national public holiday. Sydney commemorate this important day by holding a Dawn Service followed later in the day by marches by ex-servicemen and women. Many people celebrate afterwards in pubs and clubs playing games of Two-up

 ~

On a less solemn note, it was also Linda's daughter's 1st birthday party yesterday. She threw an amazing little ladybug themed garden party. I know Linda will want to share with you her photos of Violet's special day herself, but until then, here are a couple of cute ones that I took....
  All images taken by me. Please ask my permission before using any of these images.

"We went to all the places which a beetle might be near,
And we made the sort of noises which a beetle likes to hear,
And I saw a kind of something, and I gave a sort of shout:
"A beetle-house and Alexander Beetle coming out!"

Forgiven by A.A. Milne
 
Here's hoping everyone has kicked the Monday Blues and are looking forward to a wonderful week ahead!

~ Clare x

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Vogue's Alice in Wonderland by Annie Leibovitz

 You may have guessed by the title of this blog that I have a thing for Lewis Carroll's famous writings "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" & "Through the Looking-Glass"

Some may say nonsense but I say wonderful!

As a child I was always a dreamer and I guess I still am...
I loved the wildness of Alice in Wonderland
& I very much related to being "curiouser & curiouser"
I dressed up as Alice for Book Week in Kindergarten
and my first dance on stage was as the White Rabbit at age 3
(will have to dig out the photos at some stage!)
I came across these amazing images shot for Vogue by the amazing Annie Leibovitz
of model Natalia Vodianova as Alice
This is my favourite photo!
If you could have a special power, what would it be?
Growing & shrinking like Alice?
The Cheshire Cat is my favourite character!
That's Jean Paul Gaultier hiding up in the tree
Who wouldn't want to have a Mad Hatter's Tea party?
And I'll gladly take tea in that Christian Lacroix Haute Couture dress thank you!



I just love flamingos

Into the Looking Glass she goes...
 All photos from Vogue.com and photographed by Annie Leibovitz

Have you seen "Imagine" Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens?
An inspiring documentary of the life & work of one of the world's most iconic photographers.
Definitely a must-see.
To check out some of Leibovitz's work click here

"Alice! a childish story take,
And with a gentle hand
Lay it where Childhood's dreams are twined
In Memory's mystic band,
Like pilgrim's withered wreath of flowers
Plucked in a far-off land."
 All in The Golden Afternoon - Lewis Carroll 

Hopefully you've enjoyed these images as much as me.
Until next time... I'm off to paint the roses red...

~ Clare x 


Sunday Sydney Harbour Strolling

It's another Manic Monday and as the Bangles song goes, "I wish it was Sunday." As I'm not in possession of a time machine, I will have to make do with posting my pictures from yesterday's stroll around Sydney harbour. The weather was perfect...
The magnificent Opera House through the trees...

Some native Australian Flora, Banksias.

I love some of the older homes around Kirribilli. Such character...

Last but not least, since I am a chocoholic, we just had to pop into this amazing chocolate shop called Coco Chocolate
 If you are ever in Sydney, you must visit this chocolate shop. Coco Chocolate specialises in Fine Organic Chocolate and only sells 'real chocolate'; that is chocolate with high cocoa content and all of the expensive & delicious cocoa butter. We purchased the delectable "Organic Milk Chocolate with Toasted Hazelnuts & Seasalt." Pure heaven!

Hopefully you all had a delightful weekend too. Tuesday is upon us, I'm off to bed to dream of what this coming weekend will bring....

~ Clare x 

(All images are my own, please ask my permission to use)
 

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Vintage Clothing, Jewellery & Textiles Show

What beautiful weather we had in Sydney this weekend! The forecast said rain, but the weather was perfect. Yesterday I went to the Vintage Clothing, Jewellery & Textiles Show with my hubby & some friends.


Some of the stores were just beautiful. 
My Mother always tells me I should have been born in another era as I love vintage clothing, jewellery, music, decor & books. Particularly 20s to 50s where clothing is concerned.

Isn't this mannequin hilarious? I just had to take a photo ha ha ha!

The vintage cars were my favourite.

I'd love a car like one of these....

I picked up an old copy of "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare" for just $10.00! It made my day!

 My hubby nabbed this amazing jacket.

My friend Jodes bought this vintage crystal glass whiskey decanter

Then we headed off for some lunch...
Chorizo & Guacamole Melt


I made sure I took a few photos of Sydney along the way for everyone overseas!
 (All photos taken by myself & are not to be reproduced without my permission)

I hope you enjoyed these photos. For more Sydney pics, check back tomorrow as I'll be posting some shots I took on my walk around Sydney harbour today.
~ Clare x

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Mr Sandman Bring Me a Dream....

Make it the cutest home that I've ever seen......

Today I've been spying through my looking glass
rustic homes with neutral shades, french accents  & vintage embellishments.
I hope you enjoy these pictures I've found!

  




All of these delightful images are from Living Inside 
A photo agency dedicated to interior design  


 These 3 images are all from the magnificent website Restoration Hardware
Look at those amazing 19th Century Pendant Lights in Pic#2
I'm in love with the Lounge Room in Pic# 3
Wish my home looked like this.....

The above two dreamy images are from Architectural Salvage

Well I'm off to bed in the hope that Mr Sandman will bring me 
a dream home like some of these... sigh...

~ Clare x