A Fauvist

Henri Matisse  

Red fish 1912

This is one of my favourite paintings in the enitre world and it lives at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Art in Moscow. I wish it could live at my place.

Grasshopper Bar

On Wednesday night I headed into the city for a drink with some good friends. We found Grasshopper Bar tucked away in a Sydney laneway with a Melbourne vibe. A lovely bottle of french wine was ordered even though cocktails seem to be their forte. As it was bustling inside we perched ourselves on the milk crates outside (not very comfortable) and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and happy attentive staff.

From our position in the lane we had a fabulous view of Newell Harry's Circle/s in the round for (Miles and Miles + 1) which is a part of the City of Sydney's Laneway Art that is on display until the end of January 2011.

It was a lovely evening and next time I'll definitely be trying the restaurant's limited menu of French cuisine which smelt amazing!

31 days till Christmas

I love Christmas time and still get excited when I wake up on Christmas morning. Here are a few things that I am wishing for....

Bearded man brooch (one that looks like Ad!) from
Handmade Romance on Etsy

 Happy rocking squirrels from Bride and Wolfe

 Spaces mook by Frankie Magazine
so I can peak into other peoples homes

Sally Seltman's CD 'Heart That's Pounding'

Vers 1.5 hand-crafted sound system for listening to tunes on my iPhone

 

Dorothy Napangardi

Salt 2007

from Fireworks Gallery

Art equation

Maybe it is because I have worked in an art gallery but I find this hilarious!
by Craig Damrauer via A Cup of Jo

Movember

It's half way through Movember, the month that men are encouraged to grow a moustache to raise awareness about mens health issues including prostate cancer and depression. This fun initative started in Australia in 2003 and now engages men in showing their support by growing a mo globally.

My husband is participating and while I don't really like the tash look I am pleased that he is a part of this important fundraising program. Please visit the website to donate to Movember.

Bookclub

I am a member of a bookclub that my sister, Tess started. We meet every month or so to chat about the book that we have read over a cup of tea or glass of champagne. I love that everyone can express their views about the literature in a casual and relaxed atmosphere.

We started off with some very harrowing classics such as Love in the Time of Cholera and Tender is the Night but are currently reading Danny the Champion of the World and Peter Pan which are heaps of fun! Do you have any book suggestions for my bookclub?

Christmas shopping

I started my Christmas shopping this week as I stumbled across a beautiful shop, Magnolia Home & Gift at East Gosford on the Central Coast and picked up lots of goodies.

So this weekend I am going to continue to acquire gifts by visiting Magnolia Square markets at Randwick Racecourse. They have a fabulous range of independent design, art and fashion items that are perfect for pressies. Including the gorgeous homewares like the fun oversized button dishes by Have you met Miss Jones pictured above.  

I love buying presents for friends and family, it is a wonderful challenge to find something that is perfect for that special someone!

My favourite Roman fountain

On our first day in Rome Ad took me on a tour of the city's beautiful piazza's. Most of them housed a fountain as its centre piece. My favourite fountain that we discovered was the Fountana di Quattro Fiumi or Founatin of Four Rivers, 1651 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

It depicts the four gods of what were considered the four great rivers of the world during the Reniassiance. The Nile in Africa, the Ganges in Asia, the Danube in Europe and the Río de la Plata in America. The movement in the figures, trees and animals is beautiful and powerful. The fountain has a  passionate and vibrant presence and when it is lit up at night and the water is shimmering it looks magical.

150th Melbourne Cup Day

I love the excitement of Melbourne Cup Day, even though I am always at work  it is fun to dress up and go in the office sweep!

Today I am wearing a massive purple flower in my hair, a gorgeous floral silk blouse, black flippy skirt, fabulous purple stocking and patent black heels. Wish me luck in the sweep....