flight of fancy

<div><div>my heart is aflutter for the latest collection from one of my fave NY designers, Re Jin Lee. Her label <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://baileydoesntbark.com/">Bailey Doesn't Bark</a> </span>is whimsical, quaint and just a little bit frivolous - i want!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309544608798624658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga6DkfsIvQBtANKkOvLPCmB59b0jvO10h1SWjcPgwojR6szEMy7sxJDbbmakpo5hVEV15oU8A1_Tjq8jfsZburXIBT1csHwnrvS9PoGn0XXg_7rSjDiBntTbAzburFPZbxPa4XZr_LPjI/s400/bailey4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px; " /></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309544594990001746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcHUXeLI98F9Q3IyxdJitz3kTqIfgSZzqBdkH9LsseJZ4bQCCMrqQ0jO8U3KhReTlNRkdJUqNcGVI9yJ1ildBqEjgIzuSd3EIIZm2Ox5Hkf8VqGhbOI9Fscw8eDBKX2ukefwWAHLb65I/s400/bailey1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 400px; " /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309544605264158194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNImBse9iImw8tUulHhcqUSeo7gjY-8TZaH5n16POIucxT-npGx3j5Mx_6rnnUpXgN7Js1mFPE0eHKwvEqhXpADyTWn8OxyxCecTCWX7Xh_6v3oGvDNl3G1IZ8Uc-KgPLYqg_1ocwd_A/s400/bailey2.jpg.jpg" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 236px; " /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309544605854529410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv4R85AVRTDuoCH7c6hgoubqFOrIYW5GXtsJqCDmTKhPx570g33rqE9R03Krp6qE2avT9_A5RsxScfPxmsiY5uL4LStgM6HLWkgzMjaG9uwUMgO-DBOxQ9mJCNJTEUnzD4MPsTB8IjSMo/s400/bailey3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px; " /></div><div><br /></div><div>hmm... first sparrows, then owls, now flamingos... Will the bird trend ever end? My bet is on deers next...</div><div><br /></div><div>ness x</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>

flight of fancy

my heart is aflutter for the latest collection from one of my fave NY designers, Re Jin Lee. Her label Bailey Doesn't Bark is whimsical...

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limbo land

sydney is leaking, it seems. out of nowhere the blue sky has cracked open, revealing an ugly torrent of splotchy raindrops. neither hot nor cold, the air is stalwart; frozen in time. women scurry around with summer dresses stuck wet to their thighs, umbrellas clutched nervously at chest. boys' feet are muddy from cheap rubber thongs, and the funny combination of shorts + striped hoodies holds them in limbo. <div><br /></div><div>yesterday i went to good vibes with my friend P. the forecast was for 20 degrees; overcast with "rain periods". oh. my. GOD... i have never been so cold and wet and completely rain-sodden in all my life; made even worse by the fact that it was completely by choice. thank god i had a cute yellow paddington bear-esque poncho to brave the storm in style...  The music was bloody good though; and I am now completely in love with Yelle, a fabulously quirky French rap artist who had all the shirtless boys in absolute rapture.  check her out <a href="http://myspace.com/yelle">here</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>ness x<br /></div>

limbo land

sydney is leaking, it seems. out of nowhere the blue sky has cracked open, revealing an ugly torrent of splotchy raindrops. neither hot nor ...

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dumpling fever

i am: curled up on my couch, listening to the drunk boys outside my window slur the lyrics to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">somewhere</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">over the rainbow </span>and suffering from a severe case of dumpling fever (how many can one girl stuff in her face in just one evening? the answer, i have discovered, is A LOT). oh and you know what else? steamed red bean buns are deliciousness in soft doughy wrapping. In drizzly weather after a long week, comfort food with friends in a steamy asian restaurant is sometimes exactly what you need.<div><br /><div> </div><div>guess what? i did a little bit of music-hunting today and came upon three female singer/songwriters who both bring a fresh spark and originality to their work, plus a funny little cover tune to amuse and a lovely blog for you to gobble up.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>Texas-born <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Erin McCarley</span> reminds me a little of Regina Spektor, only less seductress-y and more poppy. her music is beautifully written and an interesting composition of jaunty melodies and haunting piano tunes. her new album <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">love, save the empty </span>is out now. check out her <a href="http://www.myspace.com/erinmccarley">myspace</a> page for a sneak preview.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>I've been a little obsessed with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Ingrid Michaelson</span> for a while now (the song <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">breathing </span>from her 2008 album <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">be okay </span>is almost disturbingly evocative). I only recently discovered that she collaborated with Sara Bareilles late last year on a little number titled <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">winter song. </span>Its honest lyrics and soulful melody took me by such surprise. You can listen to it on <a href="http://www.myspace.com/sarabareilles">Sara's myspace</a> page, but i urge you to check our <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ingridmichaelson">Ingrid's</a> as well; have a listen to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">breathing. </span>You'll fall in love, i promise. </div><div><br /></div><div>The sequin-loving <a href="http://sheetsandstitches.blogspot.com/">prue</a> alerted to me to the musical genius of<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> Lisa Hannigan</span> today while i was sipping my morning coffee. preoccupied by the sheer excitement of pay day (it only comes round once a month), i was of course distracted and was only listening to Lisa in the background. soon i was completely head over heels and emailed back, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">oh. my. GOD. where did you find this girl?" </span>Turns out this sultry songstress hails from dublin, and brings with her a fascinating (albeit quirky) life story, which you can read <a href="http://www.lisahannigan.ie/">here</a>, on her equally adorable website. stitches and songs? GENIUS! check out her myspace page <a href="http://www.myspace.com/lisahannigan">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">heathcliff // it's me, your cathy // i've come home now // so cold, let me in at your window" </span></div><div>powerful. these have to be some of the BEST lyrics ever written me thinks. Now, i'm always fond of a little Kate Bush but her screeching does get a little tiresome after a while to be honest. Thankfully, the divine Josh Pyke has recorded a little cover of this iconic song. I love Josh's adaption, but it's certainly different. The video is below; what do you think?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/diFRft7qwy0&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/diFRft7qwy0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>the uber-talented Sarah Blasko and i go way back; i was a naive and very awkward 18-year-old in 2004 when i proclaimed <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">perfect now </span>to be my FAVOURITE SONG EVER. Funnily enough, that's still true, and Sarah is always there for me when i need her. she's in snowy sweden right now recording her third album; you can read all about her adventures over at <a href="http://sarahblasko.wordpress.com/">http://sarahblasko.wordpress.com. </a> </div><div><br /></div><div>ness x</div></div>

dumpling fever

i am: curled up on my couch, listening to the drunk boys outside my window slur the lyrics to somewhere   over the rainbow and suffering fro...

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of a tree called life

oops. tonight i drank the lethal combination of sangria + white wine and now i have the hiccups. BADLY. But it was worth it; my friend CM's boyfriend and all his lovely friends have just moved right around the corner from me, which means a) fabulous fancy wine on tap (one of his housemates owns a restaurant) b) no cabs needed after late nights out and c) CM and I can now have boozy tapas dinners together and then walk home afterwards. hurrah! everyone i know is moving closer and closer to me. I already have the rooftop, and the complicated relationships; now with friends practically living next door my life is becoming more and more<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> secret life of us </span>every day. <div><br /></div><div>"you know when you're sitting on a chair and you lean back so you're just on two legs, then you lean too far and you almost fall over but at the last second you catch yourself? I feel like that all the time" </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300418161206328914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hnLT34IQDA3V7BaRlOfi5vRN8QOu2u14G-uUSrVKS6FhrwvTb1baDCRZD_N3JLoPIaMgtdhHfMXmnz7u5tsl7Y457XSPqhtRfTPdbQAGR44vSdxAdHwd7l0-6tYN10n0D1BwUw09UM8/s400/stephen_wright_01_470x394.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 335px;" /></div><div> </div><div> </div>

of a tree called life

oops. tonight i drank the lethal combination of sangria + white wine and now i have the hiccups. BADLY. But it was worth it; my friend CM...

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on the book shelf

<div style="text-align: left;">how great is it when a bunch of tiny good things become the subliminal building blocks of a good day? this morning my coffee was perfect, the new Vogue landed on my desk just in time for lunch in the park, i finished some work i had been procrastinating over, and I downloaded the newest episode of The Office from iTunes. hurrah! <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">right now i am reading.... Giselle Scanlon's newest book: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The Goddess Experience </span>($39.99, Harper Collins)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">.</span>It is the companion to her best-selling<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> The Goddess Guide </span>(the decadent flocked cover was enough to draw any fashionista in). Like it's older (but none the wiser) sister, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The Goddess Experience </span>is jam-packed full of Giselle's European adventures. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299285233321012146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiT3X-D-LE99cDg-gzWJtZrh2bw8RzTJSu9i-oACFVPtACTx8vqbvcYVrUeWM1CzH_h-JmpNpXSblgB4FrZDo8zAMDLbv2jF5tz5DREQcdYK1m1sy6DYZm2SbqFDElbXQ7PwjSoNrt7w/s400/gg.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 400px;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Irish-born fashion journalist shares with us her London shopping tips, the best place to buy melt-in-your-mouth macaroons in Paris, what inspires fashion queen Vivienne Westwood and tries to answer that interminable question: what makes us happy? Giselle is my modern-day Jane Austen and without doubt always manages to inspire me when I'm suffering from a case of the mean reds. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299285246180278322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEC12f21INK97n5uvp-UDZHBxex1l49aHdxTQXqSgdEz-7uOX6rHoZd8VnPNKxDiY-4lKmX4CuS2IuuhqKHC2INMIOt0cGK9I-tuKf4_o4FW2NTZFdXqBOuH5kCAnifnbr_NOUaeVYeyQ/s400/Picture+12.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 212px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299285239292897602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzo9Z_TD_W7i25giij1ie5kSfJkX8v1_E64qqKgWPzr_nX0gQbYG2HbGmfDAOD-P0OU08NTbIOas__193uLoETvzVhDU3FF_vckFeb0JfKElXVUbIO0nGOw8AGA7D970jlqjLi6gbRdc/s400/Picture+14.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 285px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299285240818308850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK0dCFMjg1yE85TbwYWu9thlpZnpvol5Zn7WrjbPeSS3D0g6wD3VoQGm2C1MH5aBUxF4Aylx7rNK_I0krvzi9Lo5L06fp1eXTiV8rS28IXvdead4-ySw9-PYnrDuaxUABOj35qdw7VrTw/s400/Picture+15.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299285238510415090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uo0Bm5Nw5TarZhxwI0nQm01kDNspMrhvKYnqJxm1otHsOEC9NL-qyq94NK7sxSYngNjHBT6gM-mfpWZSXjTWsdZlibUoIr3yXPbMVqnG9kADYJw0DkIKB94indQGq5ENs3UDvyg-Zrg/s400/Picture+16.png" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's a must-read! Have a fabulous friday everyone - eat some cake, drink some beer and wear a pretty frock (at least that's what I'll be doing...)<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">ness x</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div> </div><div> </div>

on the book shelf

how great is it when a bunch of tiny good things become the subliminal building blocks of a good day? this morning my coffee was perfect, th...

Read more »