plastic surgery's bad, okay

Guess who this is?

No, it's okay, I'll wait...

Still haven't got it?

Look again.

He's an actor.

A British actor.

Used to be devastatingly handsome.

And looked nothing like this.

Give in?

You sure?

Okay, I'll spill...

It's Rupert Everett.

I kid you not.

take me away...

As a wee lass I was utterly besotted with Nancy Drew. I'm quite sure that I read absolutely every single one of her adventures - and some more than once.

She was a rather dashing heroine - with a lively bunch of buddies and always had the coolest adventures. Oh, and she had titian locks - I'm a HUGE lover of titian locks {let me tell you, should I actually have titian locks I'd find a way to weave that into every conversation...}

I'm feeling the urge to revisit - but the new paperback versions don't have the same appeal at these vintage hardcover numbers. Oh, if only I'd held onto my old book collections. Guess I'll now have to start collecting these for my gal - her 10th birthday could be the ideal age of introduction to Miss Nancy...

monday motivation

After yesterday's dust-whatever it's nice to see blue sky and feel mild spring weather. Today I'm going to start on a month-long state of chill. I went shopping on Saturday and couldn't believe that the Christmas Crankies have already hit so many people.

So I'm going to stop, reflect on my blessings and the true meaning of the season, and get on with stuff.

Also, I'll be sending lots of love to friends and readers who are going through tough times. Thinking of you xxx

faded beauty

I don't think we appreciate beauty in all its stages. You know how every year some scientists or somesuch come up with an identikit of The Ideal Man or Woman. And it's this face that's been put together with Johnny Depp's lips, Brad Pitt's eyes, Zac Ephron's hair, Hugh Jackman's forehead... and, well, they just look weird. Not attractive, just odd. Too perfect is odd.

Quirky, and yes, I'm banging on about this again, is gorgeous. But apparently, so few people believe this. Reese Witherspoon is button-cute and one of the reasons why is because of her chin - her heart-shaped face is what makes her so gorgeous. Which is why I'm always so sad when I see it photo-shopped smaller - or, as in her current Avon perfume ads, hidden behind a damned bottle!

Last month's Australian Women's Weekly had one of the first genuinely happy smiles I've seen on a cover because Sarah Murdoch didn't have her smile lines photoshopped off her face. This month's Women's Weekly is photoshopped - but it's a really curvalicious woman that's featured - Julie from MasterChef who is well above the standard size 6 - 8 covermodel. Brava.

So when I was wandering around my garden taking photos of my roses, this caught my eye. These two Tess of the D'Urberville beauties are well-past their namesake's prime - but aren't they glorious? Sure, some of the petals have fallen, the rich red hue has faded - but they're beautiful nonetheless.

Let's look around and appreciate the quirks, the flaws and the differences and rejoice in what they have to offer. What do you see?

fleurs de friday

mmmmm marni

A sensuous line in a shoe will always tickle my fancy. Check out these heels - and that amazingly blunt square toe! A hidden platform's always a must-have for extra length too.

Personally I'm aching for an electric blue evening gown to wear with these numbers. Oh my yes!

hip, hip, hooray

Sigh.

There's debate raging on the internet about this covershot of Demi Moore. An unnaturally beautiful woman, obviously. However, the call is out that part of her hip's been chopped off - to which, Demi, on twitter responded: "Here is the original image people, my hips were not touched don't let those people bulls**t you".

And I agree - her hips haven't been touched... as for the model whose body was photoshopped to include Demi's head...

Wow. It's one thing to deny that you've had surgery when you had half rockmelon's strapped to your chest in Striptease, but c'mon - why participate in a charade that doesn't allow that your body is enough for a cover?

I don't begrudge Demi the surgery, I begrudge her the participation in the charade.

I know that people such as Demi don't sign up to be role models, but as soon as they're in the spotlight that's what they become. In fact, one of the reasons I quit reading Perez Hilton earlier this year was because of the utterly appalling things he wrote about two of Demi's daughters. I don't want to participate in that.

The amount of surgery that women in Hollywood feel compelled to undergo to stay relevant saddens me - but, must say, if I was seeing pap shots of myself every day chances are I'd be first in line at the surgeon's office. And they're still getting hired - check out Meg Ryan - she's in a new role despite what she's done to her face {ps, that film, looks kinda hilarious...}

My issue isn't with the surgery, although personally I feel that beauty needs a little quirk to really work. My problem is that frozen faces detract from an actor being able to perform a role - with acting it's all about the face.

Undoubtedly the saddest thing about controversies such as these is how they bring out the worst in so many women. Over at the forums on MamaMia vitriol and attacks have spewed forth and it's just so disheartening. It's like the endless working mum vs stay-at-home mum vs non-parents attacks. We're all different, let's just build a bridge and get over it.

Vive la difference...

r&r

Sorry for the lack of posts yesterday. I've managed to cause myself some serious damage to my back and have been ordered to rest. So here's a self-portrait I snapped off during my lolling about... {tee hee}.

I don't know what it is with me and the near-arrival of December. Last year it was the broken ankle, now, my back. Sigh. Obviously my body just wants me to hibernate...

So I'll take advantage of the fact that I've bought the Christmas cards and make a start on them. I had ever-such a difficult decision yesterday when buying them. Luckily 90 per cent of the cards on offer at David Jones were charity cards - but then I had to find just the right charity {I chose two} and then, the perfectly pretty card that matched the charity. It's all done now and I've got two different red and white lovelies all ready to write on and send out.

Enforced rest has to have some benefits non?

playing your cards right

I love a row of Christmas cards all strung up. The garlands filled with seasons greetings just make me happy. So I have a few secrets to share for an organised send out.

Make your list: I have a word document with everyone's full name, including kids {updated whenever there's a new addition - or, gulp, subtraction} with the full address and postcode. Each year, I also sneakily mark whether or not I receive a card {this way I hope to ditch a few of the cards I send, even though I never see these people during the year}.

This year I'm getting in early and sitting down on Thursday night and addressing all the envelopes. This will leave me free to write on five cards per night over the next week or so, happy to be able to write a personal greeting to everyone - without getting writer's cramp.

Finger's crossed that I'll have all my cards out in the first week of December - with a few spares just in case I receive any last-minute additions!

better off red

Does it get any more gorgeous?

harmonious adaptation

I'm never happy after seeing a film adapted from a book. I'm a reader who 'sees' the script play out in my head, so inevitably when I see the characters on the screen I'm disappointed as they look nothing like the cast I'd envisaged. {Tom Cruise in Interview With The Vampire - I'm looking at you}.

Cut to last night's screening of The Time Traveler's Wife. Oh my.

My friend and I both adored the book - and we both adored the film. Such a difficult story to screen and yet they did it so well.

Eric Bana was perfect in his role and I fell in love with him again {can't remember why I'd forgotten about him, but he's quite the brilliant actor and has been with his wife for eight million years - bless}. Rachel McAdams was perfection - she has the most adorably smiley eyes! Now, of course, my friend and I both did a double take and simultaneous "Eeuwww" when "Berger" from SATC came on-screen - but we got over him. Just.

Oh, and the girl who plays young Claire - utterly gorgeous and so insightful for a six-year-old.

Of course I cried, but I did adore this film. Its explorations of love, destiny, friendship and loss had me enthralled.

simple tastes

Sometimes there's nothing better than the tastes of the season, freshly served.

I've just totally revived my body and soul by munching on some fresh cherries - prettily presented in a pale pink ramekin.

Can you think of a more gorgeous snack?

feeling hot, hot, hot

It's hard to believe it's only spring and at 9.30 the temperature was already into the mid-thirties. I've got the blinds down, air-con on and am hunkering down to work on this steamy spring day. Phew, I'm feeling like a total nana today "well, we're in for a hot one..."

Let's just hope that the pyromaniacs - intentional and the just plain stupid {I actually blasted a guy in a car the other day for throwing a lit cigarette out the car window - how can people STILL do that?} are held at bay.

lavender love

Apparently lavender is the colour-de-season which I'm happy to go along with. Such a pretty hue always brings a smile to my face.

These Kate Spade pretties have managed to include all my faves: bows! satin! purple! in the one pair of shoes.

Lovely.

quick flicks

Question time: I'm planning on checking out a film this week with my bud who's up from Sydney for a week. We'd hoped to see The September Issue, but it's season was too, too short. So instead we're tossing up between The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus and The Time Traveller's Wife - any thoughts on the matter? We've both read and loved TTW, but will the film spoil the literary experience? Or will I sob uncontrollably every time Heath Ledger appears on screen? Decisions, decisions... Your input is much appreciated!

psssst, santa

This'd look really pretty adorning my wrist...

hello, excitement...

Can.

Not.

WAIT!

pink perfection

My peonies are just starting to open. I've got them on my desk and they're to be my oasis of calm today. I've been up since 6.30am - unusual for me. But we've been waiting on a delivery of pavers since Friday and he called last night to tell me he'd be here at 6.30/7am. A shocker of a time but as I have to have the pavers delivered down on the road and then carry them all, one-by-one up seven stairs to the footpath, then up two more stairs into my front gate I thought this was a sensible option.

Except he's still not here at 8.12am.

Grrrrr.

My husband's in Sydney on a training course for a few days so he can't help me and my smoothly organised day, which requires precision timing isn't looking so hot.

I've got my bestie coming up for a few days so we can have a working bee - she in the living room on her laptop and me in the study on my computer. She's got a book to finish off, I just have my usual run of work.

Tonight she's babysitting my gal as I'm off to a friend's school to listen to a presentation by The Butterfly Foundation about raising girls. I love the work these people do and hope I can come away with some more insight.

I'm diligent about raising a daughter with self confidence - and body confidence. One who'll make sensible food choices to nourish her body and soul and one who won't start on the destructive diet path {like I did at 11}. I'm proud to say that I've never made a negative comment about my body in her presence - I think it's important for a girl to see her mother as happy and confident in her skin. Last night she came and watched me play netball and get all red and sweaty {it must have been 40 degrees in that indoor sport shed!} and laugh along with all the girls in my team. We encourage her to play sport, to dance and to nurture her love of reading and art.

She's my peony that girl, and I'm going to continue to love watching her grow.

rose tinted attitude

It's hard not to be overcome with delicious perfume in any corner of my front yard today. Those delicious scarlet blooms are Mr Lincoln - a red rose with a heady scent. Just underneath are the delicate pale pink petals of Duchess de Brabant with her subtle scent and nodding blooms. So pretty.

And as you walk down the front stairs the heady aroma of gardenia offers a knock-out blow.

Now that I've got a vase-ful of peonies on my desk I'm pretty sure that life's complete...

shiny shiny

Generally speaking I tend toward clothing that's on the un-embellished side. I'm pretty sure that you'd be hard-pressed to find a sequin or shiny bit on any item of clothing that I own.

However, lately I've been edging ever-so-close to the shiny side.

Sequins are catching my eye and holding them in a covetous manner.

I suppose my biggest fear about shiny things is that someone will mis-label it as "bling" a word that's top of my loathe-list.

I'm pretty sure that I'm going to be one of those old ladies head to toe in Alexis Carrington-esque evening wear. But I'll be rocking it...

pink of perfection

Guess what? Yep, it's peony season. My love for these flowers is as grandiose as their blooms so this year I'm going to take advantage of it and buy a bunch of them at least three times during the season.

Sure, they're expensive, but I've spent the same amount of a bottle of wine which gives only fleeting pleasure. So instead, I'm going to break the cost down into days of pleasure and will probably only spend the equivalent of a decent cup of coffee per day. You can't put a price on pleasure...

life's a journey

garden grubs

We've got a working-bee weekend planned. I'll be out the front weeding and mulching the cottage garden, while Matt's out the back staking, pruning and fertilising the lilly pilly hedge by the pool.

Firstly though, I've got to get some order happening inside the house.

Husband and child off to Borders so child can spent her winnings from our family sweep from Melbourne Cup {she came in first, second and third so has won a ton of Borders Dollars - me? Jealous much?!?}. So I'm getting stuck in for 60 minutes of serious, no-interruptions cleaning. Shall put on some motivational music {hmmm, I'm thinking Foo Fighters or Pixies turned up to 11} and get to it.

Have a gorgeous weekend. x

frugal friday

After a very, very long absence, here's the return of Frugal Friday. Yep, I haven't really had that much to write about lately, but now I have a secret to share.

True frugalistas will know of what I'm about to speak, but to me, I've uncovered a revelation.

The discount chemist.

You seen them? Heard of 'em? Been into one? They're pretty damned amazing let me tell you.

I accidentally wandered into one earlier this week while in a different suburb and off searching for my bank's ATM {saving myself $2 in fees - double frugal}.

Obviously one of the main savings with discount chemists is with scripts and vitamins, but let me tell you people, the toiletries! I stocked up on toothbrushes, toothpaste, sunscreen and hairdye at prices I couldn't believe. Even on sale at the supermarket I'd never paid such a low price for these items.

I'll be going back again next time I need to stock up. They even had weird stuff like washing up liquid for sale at ridiculously low prices.

Bargain city.

fine lines

Tickets go on sale for my daughter's ballet concert today at 3pm - and let me tell you, the competition for Big Day Out tickets isn't so fierce.

I can't believe I'm doing this, but I'm turning up at 2pm, magazines in hand, folding chair at the ready, to hopefully secure us prime seating.

Yep, all this for a child's concert - but look - she's wearing a red tutu - so worth it!

Actually it's such a beautiful show that I'll probably still be lining up for tickets even after my gal hangs up her dancing shoes {which, hopefully will be on the 12th of never!}. Judging by the gorgeous costumes on display at the dress rehearsal Tuesday this year's going to be another fantastic show.

late adopter

I am not one of those people who line up to be the first to buy the latest and greatest. I like others to test things out and time to mull it over before I give in.

I waited for yonks to get onto facebook. Twitter? Well, I signed up kicking and screaming and have barely uttered a tweet.

I think it's a throwback to my dad who was, and is, an early adopter. We were the first in the neighbourhood to have a colour telly {yes, I really am this old...} and VHS {not Beta - he was a lucky early adopter}.

So anyway, my old Cath Kidston nokia phone is slowly dying. The screen's fading and really, it can't offer me what I really need. So the next obvious choice for a mac-lover such as myself is to throw myself at the feet of an iPhone.

Santa?

out the front

Here's a peek at our 1920s metal setting that my dear husband sanded, rust-proofed and painted, before we popped down the pretty cushions my mother made for us on her last trip.

It's the perfect spot to sit and watch the sunset...

in my garden today

ssssssssssso ssssssssssssssexy

Excuse me for interrupting, but how divine is the snakeskin print on these Jimmy Choos? I'm besotted with them. I'm also loving the sensual curves of every single piece of that strapping. Plus, the ankle strap is nice and low so it doesn't do that leg-cutting-off-thingy of most ankle straps.

Oh, I covet.

in kellyworld

Kelly Bensimmon from Real Housewives of New York, wandering down the street, wearing a series of bathmats as some kind of fuzzy overgarment.

Celebrating 40 years of the muppets in a manner way less cool than Google? Or just plain cuckoo? You decide.

face, body or both?

Most women have to choose face or butt - however, apparently Demi can have both. Sure, I know there are rumours about a gazzilion dollars worth of plastic surgery, but, tell you what, it's damned subtle and amazing. {Apart from her boobs in Striptease - they were the exact opposite of subtle - or natural}.

According to the text in W magazine {where these fab shots are featured} in real life Demi looks a little gaunt, not as dewy as she used to and her face wrinkles and moves. Oh to look half as good when nearing 50...

reeeeoooow

Tom Ford, I love you!

un-real, banana peel

Hoooooh boy, what a night it was last night for reality tv. Part two of the Real Housewives of New York was an utter cack. The call of "Put down that crack pipe Ramona!" followed by one of Ramona's signature crazy-eyed stares was one highlight {ps: how much does Ramona look like Dina Lohan?}. Kelly's consistently bemused state, inarticulate arguments and Shhh, Shhh, Shhhing...

Poor wee lad in the middle hoping to moderate a moment. There can't have been a martini stiff enough for him to have dived into when the show concluded.

And then, finally, the finale of Hells Kitchen UK. Lots of recaps, hilarious drunken moments from my fave Colin and Justin from Home Heist {including Justin's drunken jubilation and hugging of the winner!} Bless! Then, after making me wait three weeks till I saw the winner - it was over in a flash. The winner is... Applause, then draw curtains. Damn, that was a bit wham, bam, thank you ma'am.

I ended up loving Linda so much by the end that I was happy for her to win. But please, can Adrian please return to our comedic screens post haste? What a skill for mimicry that man has - and the most beautifully expressive face.

So, tonight, it's Rachel Zoe. Will she recover from her dramatic illness? Will Taylor finally leave {um, well, I've checked out Dlisted and kinda got a hint in that direction} Will Brad melt my heart with his cuteness, and will Rog do his trademark Pug expression, head tilt, eyes wide, hair toss... So long as there are frocks I don't really care for the dramz. Give me sequins, gimme couture, show me the vintage. Oh, and Tay, just shut up and go!

cook off

Word on the street {not my street mind, as I've been trumpeting this event for three weeks now...} is that tonight is the finale of Hells Kitchen UK.

In this series my love for Ade Edmonson has grown so strong that I may well fly to the UK and reef him from his loving wife Jennifer Saunders's arms. Shan't though as I love her too.

However, I'm also becoming increasingly fond of Linda Evans...

Hmmmmm.

Now, as a huge Young Ones fan from way back I feel a certain pull towards Mr Bastard, however, Krystal provided some high points in my Dynasty viewing career {and serves as one of the anchoring points for many a Fug Girl quip...}

Let's see shall we?

moody blues

These are my freshly painted fingernails {yes, with the focus actually pointed at the violets... whoopsies}

It's my new lust - OPI No Room For The Blues. Now my freshly-trimmed-for-netball nails look so pretty tapping on my keyboard.

Surely I'm bound to get HEAPS of work done now...

monday must-do

This week, whew, I'm totally planning to be on fire. Yep, this week is the one where I get on top of everything and start the smooth cruise toward Christmas...

The sky's blue, it's warm and I've had a damn fine cup of coffee - what more could you ask for to start your week?

What've you got planned?

verdant vista

Oh, did it rain this weekend! We've returned from a weekend at my in-laws to find grass that you could hide your ankles in and lush new growth on absolutely everything.

This weather's mighty crazy, but the plants sure are loving it!

tis the season

Regular readers will know that I love me an event. Halloween, Easter, birthdays... love 'em all. However, a truly special place in my heart is reserved for Christmas where I get a whole month to plot, plan and party.

Traditions? We're full of 'em. First of all the tree goes up on December 1 - not a day earlier or later. We decorate it together while playing cheesy christmas carols on the iPod.

Then we'll pop up the lights on the verandas, and in the windows - along with the Santa, please stop here sign in the garden.

Next on the agenda is a visit to Santa at David Jones: where my brother and I sat on Santa's knee eight million years ago.

On the weekends we'll drive around to the suburbs that have christmas lights and ooh and ahh at all the displays. Luckily there's enough variety in Newcastle to visit one location per weekend in the lead-up {obsessive? moi?}

Christmas eve we make our annual pilgrimage to church {usually the Civic Theatre in the city} where we meet friends and sit together to enjoy the show put on my the local high school kids. Then we go to my in-laws where all the family catch-up for supper and the massive Christmas Eve sleepover {my husband's one of five - all kids now have kids, some of whom also have kids... it's gigantic}.

Our daughter's bedtime book on this night is always The Night Before Christmas, and before tucking her in she leaves out cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots out the front for the reindeers.

We'll usually wake at dawn to excited children saying "Santa's Been" as the sacks that had been laid out the night before are now stuffed with toys and gifts.

Lunch is always a traditional roast cooked by my gorgeous mother-in-law, with everyone chipping in with vegies, serving or washing up. Finger's crossed for lovely weather this year so that once the massive meal's gone down we can sink into the pool and relax.

Then, five days later it's our gorgeous gal's birthday. We've always made sure that it's special and separate to Christmas - although she's pretty chuffed that her birthday month is punctuated with lights, celebrations and fireworks on New Year's Eve.

Hope you have yourself a merry little Christmas... x

phew, it's friday

Is it just me or is this year zooming along at warp speed? My sister- and brother-in-law and our two divine nieces will be coming out from the UK in December and I just can't wait to see them again. We're planning on having them stay for a few days and giving them a beach-resort holiday - without the bill at the end.

I'm thinking days spent by the pool, with early morning or late afternoon walks down to the beach to explore the rockpools. BBQs on the back veranda or fish 'n' chips at the beach. Lots of relaxing, chatting and getting-to-know-you-once-again time.

Can.

Not.

Wait.

bare esscentuals

I would find it near-to-impossible to name my must-have cosmetic. "Nail polish!" I'd cry. "Oooh, no eye-shadow!", "Lipstick, lipgloss, lipstain...", "Brow brush", "Tinted moisturiser..." I'm a total make-up junky.

However, I'm also completely besotted with scents - so when an email proclaiming the arrival of this floral blossom sensation arrived in my in-box today I swooned.

Guess what I want for Christmas...

pretty pictures

Here are a few of my favourite things - all combined in the one glorious photograph.

Turning sighs into smiles - always a good thing.

fluffy fings

I am an extremely tactile person. Much as I try to avoid it, I'm that person who veers off course in a store to fondle a particularly amazing fabric. So, while I adore these shoes, I think they'd be inherently dangerous as I'd be constantly either looking down to admire them, or bending down to stroke them.

However, danger aside - they're a damn hot pair of shoes non?

lazy daybeds...

This here is the smartest thing we did in our backyard reno. A nice shady spot to sit, or, on the weekends to lie on the daybed and read, is perfect while the kiddies are swimming.

Cost per use our reno is almost seeming cheap now. I can't believe that we waited so long to do it...

Today it was a mild 20 degrees, but our daughter insisted on going for a swim with her dadda when he got home from work. Luckily, because our pool gets sun all day it was a pleasant 25 degrees in the water. Bliss...

past times

This just landed in my in-box, and I'm not happy about it. Yes, I remember Chachi - and would prefer that he stayed that way, back in the past, without his far-too-open-necked shirt, sleezoid expression and protestations about how long he can go without sex.

Scott Baio might be 45 and single, but I wish he'd do so off my television set {particularly as I now know that he wasn't particularly single at the time. Ahhh, reality television - taking a wide berth of definitions...}