On the Bookshelf

Due to my many hours on public transport going to and from work I have been able to pop in my head phones, tune out and read some great books. Yep I'm the gal singing to herself hiding behind books with pink covers on the trams.

This week I have been indulging in a great read called Dreaming of Dior by Charlotte Smith, and yes I do love the fact the front cover is bright pink!!!

A Bit of a Book Description from Haper Collins

Charlotte Smith has had more than her fair share of fabulous dresses and adventures. Born in Hong Kong and raised in the United States, she lived life to the full in London, Paris and New York before falling in love with Australia and discovering she had inherited a priceless vintage clothing collection from her American Quaker godmother, Doris Darnell.

Then the boxes started arriving, with more than three thousand treasures dating from 1790 to 1995, from originals by Dior, Chanel and Balenciaga to a pioneer woman′s daintily mended best dress.

But when she unearthed her godmothers book of stories about the dresses and the women who wore them, the true value of what she had been bequeathed hit home. This wasn′t a mere collection of beautiful things, it was a collection of life. Women′s lives. Tiny snapshots of our joys and disappointments, our entrances and exits, triumphant and tragic.

Personally I find this book a great read as its part history and part inspiration. For most of us lovely ladies our dresses hold memories of tears, joy, youth; some even hold the memories of first kisses and first heartbreak. After reading the 'Secret lives of Dresses' by Erin McKean this true life tale from Charlotte makes me smile with every page I turn. So please put of your favorite frock, head to the bookstore and get reading.

So what is a lady to do on a frosty winter night....well the first thing after a hearty dinner is a warm cup of tea and a bit of time to plan.

As we head into June we approach the third year of The Light in Winter is Federation Square's annual winter festival. The Light in Winter brings together artists, designers and communities to explore their ideas of light, enlightenment and hope.

This year the Light in Winter will include thirteen light installations with all power supplied for lighting installations is certified as Green Energy.

"On 20 June, thirteen of Melbourne’s diverse communities will bring more light to winter and to the Square with The Gift of Light. Melbourne’s community is invited to share in this celebration with music and performance on the weekend of the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year which marks the heralding of longer, brighter days."

from www.fedsquare.com.au

I adore this time of year as its a chance to get back in touch with all the joys of a roaring fireplace, hearty soups, warm bread rolls, lots of soft fluffy blankets and the great excuse for me to wear hats, scarfs and gloves when ever possible.

So now that I have my Winter Solstice plans taken care of its just a case of dusting of the cookbook for soups and chocolate desserts.