Thursday, September 23, 2010

Model Reflections

These shots were taken at the Parade of Models Festival, Double Bay, Sydney. The reflections caught my eye but the charming elderly gentleman was blissfully oblivious of them and just went about his business,






                                                                             

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Spring is just around the corner

Geraniums outside the office window

A pretty garden

Sunday, September 12, 2010

A holiday destination

Noosa, Queensland

Coolum Beach

Coolum Beach

Noosa River at Sunset

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Interior decorating on a shoe string (for renters) http://ani4design.blogspot.com

If you're a renter you're stuck with the design features you inherit but....like figure faults,
with clever decorating you can enhance the good and disguise the bad.
  1. Decide on a decorating 'theme' and stick to it throughout the interior
  2. Look at the 'bone' structure. If the ceilings are low keep the furnishings to scale.If they're lofty and the rooms are large you can branch out with comfy over stuffed couches and a few 'statement' pieces.
  3. Keep the wall colours neutral and monochromatic throughout to give the idea of space. If there's no outlook consider a feature wall to add personality.
Check out this simple yet effective apartment furnished entirely with bits and pieces picked up from second hand shops and markets. There's not a piece of furniture, art or adornment over $200 but there's still a feeling of continuity and of 'style'.




The country kitchen picks up on the casual theme.


Now for decorating ideas that cost little to produce yet deliver big results

Check out this exciting yet inexpensive way to bring colour into your world. I spotted these 'happy' cushions in the back bar of a pub at Bondi Junction


City Lines

Good design is the sum of its parts - line, shape, form and function.
Commercial architecture, the most visual  and longstanding design form combines
all these elements. If you take time to look up when you're in the city you'll notice
a mix of styles and designs all competing for 'air' space. Sometimes they work together, but most often they don't, and the good architecture is hidden amongst
the bad.
Take a look at these shots taken in Broadway, Sydney. They're a representative
sample of just how complex the streetscape and its skyline can be.








Wednesday, September 1, 2010

About the City

Friday 03 September

Martin Place is the pivotal centre of the Sydney CBD runs down from Macquarie Street to George Street.
Banks and Finance companies are moving out and as the economy picks up 'ritzy' luxury fashion houses are moving in.

Here's a selection of what's in the windows in and around Martin Place.






In a less Ritzy part of town, close to the cinema district is a little Patisserie that serves the most divine small cakes. Once you've enjoyed window shopping in the 'big' end of town I suggest you check it out.
Azuma Patisserie - Regent Plaza Shopping Arcade, 501 George Street.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Art Gallery of NSW - David to Cezanne

Coming soon - 22 Sept - 5 December
See this wonderful collection of master drawings from the Prat Collection, Paris without having to leave Australia

An in- depth exploration of the development of French art over the 19th century through drawings by David, Ingres, Gericault, Delacroix, Millet, Manet, Degas, Moreau, Seurat, Cezanne and others.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Spring Fashion Celebrations

Sunday 29 August

In conjunction with the Sydney Spring Fashion Festival, William Street, Paddington came alive yesterday with a celebration to fashion. The street was closed off and the shop owners came out onto the pavements.

A few 'happy'  snaps to put a spring in your step









 Collette Dinnigan
'sparkles'


The Australian Centre of photography in Oxford Street also joined in the salute to fashion with these wonderful models wearing beaded cloches.






Thursday, August 26, 2010

Ginger & Smart

Friday 28 August

No this isn't about food. Ginger & Smart is a well known and much coveted Australian fashon label.
Here's a look at their spring window display in William Street, Paddington.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

More on Food

Thursday 25 August 2010

Fruit
What better way to finish off a meal than by having a healthy serving of fruits. Oranges are brimming full of Vitamin C; bananas are a great energy booster and an apple a day is sure to keep the doctor away. Berries to are fantastic as they contain massive amounts of antioxidant compounds called anthocyanins that reduce free-radicals in the body, helping to slow down the aging process.

Vegetable, Spice and Lemongrass (all found in Asian dishes)

Beetroot contains no fat, is an excellent blood cleanser and a good source of fibre.
Saffron aids digestion and helps to relieve fatigue and exhaustion.
Lemongrass is a good cleanser that detoxifies the liver, pancreas, kidneys, bladder and digestive tract. It also cuts down 'bad' cholesterol, excess fats and other toxins in the body while stimulating digestion and blood circulation.


Vegetablesn the more exotic side....Saffron aids digestion and helps to relieve fatigue and exhaustion.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

The French House

Thursday 19 August 2010

If it's the French experience you're looking for, save yourself the airfare, and head to The French House, Dank Street, Waterloo. Their cakes and pasteries match any I've tasted in Paris, and their coffee is so much better.  With an in-house French Chef the food is sublime, and the ambience, irrestible. This is an "affair to remember".


Monday, August 16, 2010

We are what we eat - balanced health =s a better body

Eat well to be well and you'll live well

With Spring vegetables hitting the markets it's time for to re-visit conscious food selection and mindful eating.


To stay healthy  be aware of what you eat (that includes everything you eat)
A well balanced diet must contain the right amount of carbohydrates, fats, proteins,
vitamins, minerals and fibre.
Make sure you eat at least five serves of vegetables everyday to provide you with
the essential vitamins and minerals which will help to boost your immune system.

Herbs not only add flavour and aroma to your food, but have healing properties as well.
Parsley helps to cure some stomach ailments, while Rosemary cures headaches, and mint is good for colds.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Sundays are for relaxing

Sundays I  chill out, catch up with friends and try new things.

Today was no exception. I met a couple of friends for a casual lunch at the recently opened Madam Char Char, in Crown Street, Surry Hills - chicken and salads with an exotic edge. Good prices, but the three supposedly different salads, served with a quarter chicken, were a little too crunchy and all tasted the same to me. The chicken was also a little chewy.


En route to the cafe I walked past the Imperial Hotel on Oxford Street, Paddington. It's in the process of a total make-over to celebrate 100 years since it opened. Once it re-opens the roof top terrace with harbour views is sure to become a 'hot' spot with the locals.

The Imperial Hotel

Another old building that caught my eye was this little gem in Hay Street, Haymarket, near the light rail stop.


Nearby, the fruit and vegetable market at Market City is always a buzzy place to visit.

It's a while since I've been to Glebe so was pleased to be invited to a friend's book launch at Glebe Books. Ani Lin by Pip Griffin is the smolderingly beautiful story of a Tibetan Nun. It's written in a form that captures the heart and mind; an ideal gift. Also noted that Glebe is loosing its grunge and taking on a more sophisticated look.

Glebe Books