St Kilda art, food, writing what more can a gal ask for.

Melbourne can be the most amazing blend of fashion/styles/thoughts and people in general. This week I made my to one of my favorite streets, Acland in St Kilda. I have always had a soft spot for St Kilda/Elwood/Balaclava as they were always this great blend of artist/boho/hobo/trendy and yet they all seemed to mix without any problem. So this week with pen and paper in hand I headed to my fav street for some writing, photos and of course yummy food.

So with my little rockabilly dress it was time to wander and work up and appetite. It can be a bit weird to have chain store next to a independent trader next to a restaurant, yet it seems to be the best way you can describe Acland with its mix of styles both in trader and customer.
What did I write you may ask? Yes a little for this blog but a lot more for me. That was until an author friend of mine turned up with yet another crisis in their latest project. It was funny to have a discussion about their ever growing book (currently in edit #3) when my current writing style is this sharp short blog. Needless to say the fact that they turned up with laptop in hand trying to edit while discussing it made me laugh more than a little. Thankfully there came a break and a dinner, so for a moment the editing had to stop.
Maybe next time I won’t answer my phone when I’m out.
Who am I kidding of course I will ;)

100th post! Tripod Vs The Dragon

A perfect way to celebrate my 100th post with comedy.

Get ready to laugh as we are officially in the funniest time of the year. The Melbourne international comedy festival!!! So many acts so little time….so far my wish list looks like this

Tripod, Ali McGregor, Henry Rollins, Arj barker, David O’Doherty, Josh Thomasand about another 30 acts

But first up is Tripod on my calendar as I’m going to one of the pre-season shows at the forum. Always a good laugh and this time its Tripod versus the dragon. Which of course brings the question what do you wear to a D&D inspired comedy show? Thankfully I’m going with my friends Cupiedoll and Warlock, so there will be much laughing at ourselves as much as Tripod.

I have always adored Tripod, from back in the day when they did tend to dress a bit like the Wiggles – sorry boys to there current stuff. Best songs, in my opinion include Lingering Dad, Is it ok if I stalk you and the this one

I watch a weary old man with his brief case, each year of city life a wrinkle on his tired face

Is this the man I will turn into? and then I think you

Somewhere across the city you are on a train, looking at wrinkled lady

We should get out of here baby

We’ll take the road out the countryside my dear,

Where the mountains go forever and the birds are always near.

We’ll build a better life we’ll leave the city far behind us

Living where the outside world will never find us…..

Stockpiling weaponary

Lye lye lye bazzokas lye lye lye

Lye lye lye hand grenades lye lye lye

Lye lye lye Booby traps Lye lye lye

Lye bunker network Lye lye lye

Lye lye lye Lye lye lye Guns

Lye lye lye Fadeout Lye lye lye

Lye lye lye Black helicopters Lye lye lye

So with their music ringing in my head it was time to channel my inner geek and find something. After much indecision I decided on black stockings with boots, little black shirt dress, extra black and white check scarf and black leather jacket.

So what is the show, according to the boys its

"Tripod versus the Dragon combines classic old-school character comedy and a bunch of great songs with liberal references to the great operas, the bible (all three testaments: old, new and Superstar) and the other bible: the D&D Player's Handbook. It's the "Ring Cycle" meets the Three Stooges meets stats."

And the verdict.....Brilliant is all I can say. You'll love it if your a) a tripod fan, b) ever played or know someone who plays D&D or c) have a great sense of humor. Plus you gotta love it when there are shadow puppets in a comedy act. Keep and eye out for Yoni's orc inmpression and Gatesy's wizard with pointy hat. GO SEE IT NOW!

Nail Art

Ok so I am starting to become a little addicted to nail art. As I was in the mood for a bit of bad girl fashion (i blame the Traci Lords shirt) I figured it was time for a little black and white art. Short square nails with rounded edges and two white and silver designs. I am also considering a diamond or two, but this is a start.

If you want to see really amazing nails check out Ms Violet
I so want the Alice in wonderland ones!!!!

*The Swell Season*

For anyone out there who has seen ONCE you will already understand why I adore The Swell Season.

I first discovered Glen and Marketa in the independent 2007 Irish film ONCE about struggling artists, which slowly won the hearts of audiences worldwide. Within this feature the music was a bigger cast member than any actor and I needless to say fell in love with the lyrics; and about 10 minutes after watching the film was in the car heading to JB HiFi in search of the soundtrack. Now most people would know their song which won the Oscar for Best Original Song, Falling Slowly. However it is songs like The Hill and Leave that always leave me week at the knees. I admit in my weaker (and only one in the house moments) I have belted out these songs via the Xbox/sing-star.
I think the biggest thing for me about this group is the raw passion that flows thru the music. We all know I love my raw music (Ani Difranco, Amanda Palmer for example), to me singers may be the best in the world but if the passion can be heard in the lyrics and performance then that’s all I need to connect”

So when I heard they were in town it was a quick jump online for tickets. Then drive on down to on of my favorite suburbs, St Kilda for dinner at KL and over to the Palais to sit back and enjoy the wave of music wash over me. Sadly as the only way to get there on time was to go straight from work I ended up ending a rather soulful concert as a bit rockabilly. Oh well….some times you just gotta dance to the beat of your own drum.

Wish you were all here!

Art is in the air

You can find some amazing art if you keep your eyes open. These were a couple of posters I found in the dressing room of a little rockabilly store. I just adore the color and graphics in these. Simple yet powerful.



Then I came across these movie shots on the window of a cafe. They are just so great, and i'm not even sure why. Needless to say I just had to snap a couple.

In search of pretty

I admit I am a shopping addict at the best of times, and yes this is no exception. With the up and coming trip north for a fashion shoot it’s about time I made sure I had some options for myself. So with the promise of cupcakes, sparkles and maybe an afternoon wine I made the trek into the back streets of Melbourne. Ok so these backstreets come fully equipped with lights, cafes and sometimes parking maybe trek is the wrong world; stroll then.

First off to hit Chapel Street, now I love the area known as Windsor. Bit grubby but well worth it especially when you hit Chapel St Bazzar. This is on one of the best 2nd hand stores I've ever frequented. Its a maze of little stalls under one big roof, with everything from clothing to posters to furniture. My mission was for clothing, however I did come across these great photo's of Bettie Page, the Bunny Yeager /Irving Klaw girls. A bit on the pricey side so they made have to wait a couple of weeks before they come home, but cute none the less

Next was a surprise SKM had mentioned a new store she was getting a few pieces from (and designing for ) called Friends of Couture. Ok so nothing amazing yet, but what surprised me is that its 2 doors down from chapel st bazzar.

And guess who's dress was in the window. That's right Ms SKM's. Great stuff but sadly not the things I'm looking for so it was on to the next store. From there it was onto Greville Road to find Route 66. One of my fav little store's, but sadly also no joy but I will be heading to their city store next weekend as my name is on a few pieces that they didn't have my size in. However I did walk away with a great little black bowling shirt.


Then I struck gold when I hit Dangerfield. My best budd MiiKii and I discovered this store a couple of years ago, its now a franchisee but this one on Greville always seems to have great pieces compared to the others. So throwing caution to the wind (you gotta love up to 50% off sales) I picked up a tight 'wiggle dress' , little black double button satin skirt, and a very groovy little tee. Ok so maybe its not everyone's cup of tea but its this image above but in black and white. If you don't know who this is its Traci Lords from the movie Cry Baby. A movie I can only describe as part musical, part comdey, part romance and all fantastic. You gotta love a movie with Johnny Depp, Traci Lords and Rickie Lake.

Then it was time to jump on my bike and head to Brunswick/Gertrude Street in Fitzroy to drop in at Faster Pussycate and Circa.

As always wonderful window displays and great pieces. It was hard to hold back, especially since I was really wanted about 10 pairs of stockings and gloves. Sadly through time was short and I will have to go back next weekend for more looking and shopping.

whats that up there?

As with most things in this fair city of Melbourne things aren’t where you’d expect; and we do love to create very puzzled expressions on people.

I mean who names a swimming pool after a prime minister who drowned – Harold Holt Public Pool or makes our city square in the shape of a rectangle or even builds a monument for two explorers who died of thirst (Burke and Wills) on top of a water feature. This list goes on but by I digress.

Most fantastic places are ones you find when your lost, and so the only way to find them again in to stumble into them or get lost again. And of course I just adore a rooftop bar; Miikii/Firedoll/Cupiedoll will all attest to as I have made them climb many steps in search of libation. So when a friend informed me of not only a rooftop bar, but one where the location was not only known but also easy to get to I just had to go. This place is about 20mins from the city and right on a train line so I was more than happy to pack my little bag and head out to find new fun.

How do I describe “The Corner” let me think…..a university house – complete with bar with yummy food and rather well priced drinks. I think it used to be one of those old shops that were shop-front on the street level and personal dwelling above and behind. Now its all open for us crazy people to enjoy.

The jungle room is a must with weirdly painted monkeys and jungle animals watching you as you play pool. Nothing like being able to use the excuse “the giraffe put me off” when not managing to pot a ball on the pool table. The music is a fantastic weird mix, and you get feeling that there is some drunk guy hovering around the stereo just waiting for a chance to put their music on. Yes the temptation to do that did cross my mind.

Of course with all bars some of the best reasons to go there is to be with the people. Naturally being with friends as made it a great place for me, but the crowd of late 20 to 30 something’s is relaxed and cool. Not cool in the look at this label but more the bohemian way I remember my University days, with a thousand different types of people all just being and chilling together. Like I said before – university house party. This would also be a great place to start or finish a night, as being by the train station means you can get there to and from the city for as little as $4.00, cheap considering cab fares in Melbourne.