Game Masters

Melbourne gamers its time to rejoice, maybe rage but most of all embrace our love of gaming at  Game Masters.  If your not sure what I'm talking about its the new exhibition at ACMI at Federation square in Melbourne running from June 28th till October 28th 2012. 

And for only $22 Full, Concession $17.50
ACMI Members $16 or Child (4-15 years) $11 you can get your hands on 125+ playable games across arcades, consoles, PC and mobile platforms.  

Its a chance to relive your gamer past as well as test your skills with others or at least get a CRT tan in different surroundings.  The last time I went to an exhibition like this it was great to see people share their favorite memories of games past.  Even cuter to hear dad's say things like "this was the first console I ever had" and seeing their kids look so shocked.  Pretty sure I'm going to have the same experience if I ever have kids LOL

Anyway I do suggest you come and check it out, you never know you might just see me, Tedi and the crew there.

 

A very long day

Well I am finally resting my sore feet after a massive walking/shopping trip with the Vintage Society yesterday. In fact it was a big day for most of Melbourne as it was also Grand Final day Collingwood vs St Kilda. Sadly the grand final ended in a draw which means we have to play again next week, but at least I managed to combine with fashion with the St Kilda colors to show my support.

So after meeting at Federation square and finding each other amongst the football fans it was time to hit the shops. This trip was going to be big with up to 20 members joining us along the way, not to mention we were going to hit the CBD and Chapel street. This did mean we had to keep out energy up by indulging in hot chocolates, gourment fries and snacks along the way.

We did manage to find some great pieces new and old amongst the various stores. The key is to keep an open mind and not to have an agenda. With open eyes you can find amazing things that you never thought of. Plus the bonus of being in such a large group you can get honest feedback on what your trying on.

After a few of these trips I do think the best thing is the time we spend with friends, sharing our passions and talking about the world.

Look UP

Sometimes if you don't look up you will never see beauty that surrounds you. Like these lanterns hanging in the roof of Federation square. Beauty is everwhere.

Rugged Up

As the weather turns cold the thought for many to leave the warm confines of their house seems crazy but for me as long there is a big jacket and some warm gloves its time to head out into the night and see what the crisp night air brings. Why am I heading out in the low temperatures you may ask; simply in honor of my old pal Ms La dolce Vita coming to town for a conference and it was my duty as a local to show here some of our hidden treasures.

Now I admit I adore winter for so many reasons: Roasting fires, hot chocolate, winter jackets, gloves, scarfs, hats and even red wine seems to taste better. With that in mind it was time to head to transport at Federation square for drinks and then to Tony Starr’s Kitten Club for some yummy tapas.

You have to love the fact that the locals will still rather be outside and huddle around the heaters just as much as be in the clubs. We headed to the Kitten Club which is one of those great places you can only find if you know where you are going. So after a brisk walk it was time to go behind the green door, up a flight of stairs and enjoy. There was much removing of jackets and gloves and scarf’s to adjust to the warmth and then decisions about food. If you haven’t been to the club its worth a trip, and make sure you climb the second set of stairs and find the bar above if for reason to check out the velvet covered walls.

All in all another great night with the hidden secrets of Melbourne.

The Melbourne Princess

Ok so its not lingerie based but todays entry is about beauty. Recently in the frosty streets of Melbourne Ms Tiki Doll decided it was time to get some Mendhi done. As a fan of this for many years it was an easy decision. For those of you who are unsure what I'm talking about Mendhi (also Mehandi, Mehendi, etc.) is the application of Henna as a temporary form of skin decoration in South Asia, Southwest Asia, North Africa and the Horn of Africa, as well as by expatriate communities from these areas. Mehendi decorations became fashionable in the West in the late 1990s, where they are sometimes called henna tattoos. Henna is typically applied during special occasions like weddings and festivals. It is usually drawn on the palms and feet, where the color will be darkest because the skin contains higher levels of keratin which binds temporarily to lawsone, the colorant of henna. Henna was originally used as a form of decoration mainly for brides.


So in the festive spirit I offered up my hand to be done and here are the results. I must say I'm rather pleased and think I will be investing in some more in many different places. Plus I am investigating getting some paste myself to start practising designs



Finished Design the next day after paste removed

Forever Barbie

At the moment those of us in Melbourne are lucky enough to have some great Pop Icon exhibitions. There is Star Wars at Science Works and Forever Barbie at Fed Square.

Forever Barbie: A Pop Culture Icon Exhibition

No matter where you go, the mere mention of Barbie™ elicits a reaction. People are passionate, persuasive, and just plain personal about their Barbie story. How could one doll create such a response? Barbie is more than a doll she is a major part of pop culture! To coincide with Barbie’s 50th Anniversary, Fed Square will host a fabulous exhibition celebrating Barbie’s past, present and future. Located within a purpose-built exhibition hall, the Forever Barbie exhibition will immerse visitors in every aspect of Barbie’s illustrious life over the past 50 years as well as give an insight into the future of the world’s most loved fashion doll!

This will be the largest collection of Barbies ever assembled in the Southern Hemisphere. In addition, Barbie’s very own Fashion Designer, Robert Best will fly in from the U.S. for a series of workshops that provide an insight into the design process behind the making of the world’s most famous doll.

Over 300 Barbie Dolls - including some of the rarest and quirkiest sourced from the Mattel® archives as well as Australian Barbie Collectors will sit alongside a collection of accessories that have enhanced Barbie's glamorous existence over the years. Included will be Barbie's fabulous fashions, dream houses, cars, pets and of course the men in her life!

The very first #1 Ponytail Barbie, one of only three in the Mattel U.S. archive, will also be on loan for the exhibition. In an auction on May 17th 2003, at Sandi Holder's Doll Attic in San Francisco a world record was set for the sale of a mint-in-box #1 Barbie doll from 1959 which reached an unbelievable U.S. $25,427.

Tickets: $12.50 - $15.00 / Purchase online at www.barbie.com.au or at any Target store

Times: 10.00am - 6.00pm