escape to melbourne

I had a sneaky couple of days in Melbourne this week. I've actually (for the first time EVER) managed to get myself two weeks off before starting a new job (with a lovely, lovely team, doing very fab things - still at the Uni) so I took advantage of my friend saying "Wanna come down to Melbourne with me?"

The answer had to be yes.

And, as it was winter, I got to wear my cape (hurrah!).

I took this extraordinary book with me to keep me company. Anna Spargo Ryan's words are just so achingly beautiful that I'm taking it slowly. To savour them

Speaking of savouring...

I caught an earlier flight than my friend, so I made straight for Degraves laneway and went to Degraves Espresso for this utterly delicious slow-cooked ragu.

Deadset, it was one of the most exquisite sauces I've ever tasted. Rich, decadent and divine.

I got tremendously lost on a tram, then on foot, and finally found my way to the hotel. One gin and tonic the size of my head later we checked in, then caught up with an old uni friend and her partner in their new pad. He cooked dinner, we drank wine and chatted.

It was perfection.

The next day I caught the train to have coffee with my baby bro, mum and step dad. Then mum and I caught the train in to the city where I gazed in wonder at the extraordinary ceiling and chimney structure inside Melbourne Central.

Isn't it something!

I had to buy big at Sephora to make it up to my gal for leaving her alone for a couple of days (well, not alone, my husband was here!). So what better way to make it up to a sixteen-year-old than with French make-up? (I may have purchased a few pretties for myself...)

We checked out 200 years of Fashion at the National Gallery of Victoria and marvelled at the handiwork and incredibly teeny-tiny sizes of women 100+ years ago.  As mum spent most of her younger years making her own clothes it was great to check out the handiwork together and reminisce of covered buttons and seamwork.

I spied with my little eye this incredible work of art by Adnate. This guy painted my favourite artwork in Newcastle - an extraordinary piece of a young Aboriginal boy who looks up over Newcastle Harbour from Wickham. What he conveys with the eyes, and all through the work of spray paint is just amazing. Such a talent.

We didn't feel like lunch so mum suggested coffee and cake. I knew where to go. Now, here's my theory - if you're going to have cake, make it worthwhile. So we headed for French patisserie Laurent. It was lovely. While we sat at a marble counter sipping coffee and eating sweets a man walked down the laneway in front of us with a massive ram on a lead. Yep, a boy sheep (he was VERY obviously a boy!). Not exactly what you expect to see in Melbourne let me tell you.

 How much do I love Melbourne laneways, let me count the ways.

Mum left to go back on the train so I checked out the Scorsese exhibit at the ACMI. It was. Well. Powerful. And violent. And dark. And confrontational.

But extraordinary.

This was cool - an insight into Scorsese's childhood dining room. With an interview with his parents playing on a tv. Amazing.

Then back to the hotel before going to an impromptu catch up with another friend from Uni. We went to a very fab bar in St Kilda before trying to perfect the perfect selfie in his apartment. Too much fun.

But how good is this pic? Just shows the whole joy of the couple of days.

I love a random adventure.

Oh, and before flying out this morning I got to catch up with my step-sister for a lovely breakfast in a laneway before bussing it out to the airport and home again.

My soul's refreshed.

Nothing like a good soul cleanse is there?

it's science bitches

I get to do the most fun things.

For example, over the past few months I've been working a group of young scientists on this! Bringing science to the pub in Newcastle. Well, The Edwards to be exact.

Pint of Science is an international event that came to Australia and now we've brought it to Newcastle. And, in very chuff-worthy-news - we were the first team to sell out (every single night!)

Yep, three nights of science with a sold out crowd.

Here is the very fabulous Chloe modelling the super-awesome shirt that we all received thanks to national sponsor Young Henrys (a damned fine beer).

photo: Chris Brown

Emma is one of my favourite scientists, and here's why - she made a roomful of 50 people stick a tasting stick on their tongue and poke it out. See, these sticks let you know if you're a 'taster' or a 'non-taster'. For some, the strips just tasted like paper - for others - they were a little tasty - for others, it was like they'd sucked on a whole bag of lemons.

Apparently I'm a non-taster. Non-tasters tend to eat more and be less fussy than tasters. That explains A LOT.

photo: David Beckett

Over three nights we gathered together the most incredible array of MCs, speakers and audience. Here's our night two: Down To Earth crowd. We learned about the ocean, clouds and coasts on this night - it was bloody brilliant!

There are so many things I'm proud of. 

One: we brought science to a whole new crowd and they loved it! We had people begging us to put on more events (and we will - next year!) and people turning up on the door hoping to be let in to a sold-out event.

Two: three nights went off without a hitch - diverse speakers, entertaining MCs and an enthralled audience in a very cool venue.

Three: gender equity baby. A team of five women brought together 3 women MCs (one man) and four women speakers (three men). This was coincidental - we just chose the best people for the job - and we happen to have awesome women in Newcastle. The only night we were conscious of balance was the final night when we had two male speakers so we had two women MCs balancing it out.

photo: Jazz and Jeyn

This is what a group of very happy women look like after pulling off something that we'd only dreamed of. The very fabulous Chloe had the idea to bring this to Newy, and thanks to her organisational skills (and the brilliant National Organiser Mayan) we did it.

Bring on next year.

And thanks Emma for the blog title inspiration.

meal planning {on a day before monday}

Let them eat cake!

Oh, if only planning a week's meals were as easy...

I've slid off the meal planning wagon lately.

Big time.

But now I'm back baby! With a week that's so chockers I'm a little bit scared (but in a good way).

So, here's what we'll be eating.

Monday: Salmon, green beans, baked jacket potatoes and salad.

Tuesday: A friend's speaking at Politics In The Pub, so I'll grab something to eat there - but the husband and child will need sustenance. I'll prepare curry for the vego, and a chicken dish for husband (who won't eat vego, sigh).

Wednesday: It's netball training again. An hour-and-a-half of it. So it's time to break out the slow-cooker. Beef casserole for husband and I, vegetarian sausages with mash, green beans and corn for the pescetarian (pesky child only eats fish these days).

Thursday: I'm on the organising committee for Pint Of Science Newcastle. We're having our last planning meeting before next week's inaugural festival kicks off. After that, we're having dinner with our speakers at The Edwards, our very fabulous venue.

Friday: Grilled chicken (fish for the pesky-one) and salad tonight. Then I'm off to the French Film Festival opening night. Hurrah!

Saturday: Roast lamb (lentils for the child) and vegies.

Sunday: Takeaway thai to kick off a busy week!

PS: That image above? The Magpie Cafe in Bowral. Amazingly, I tasted NONE of it.

sorry, i've been busy...

Oh, hello, it's been a while hasn't it? (let's totally ignore the fact that it's been since December shall we?) I've been up to a fair bit, so I thought I'd fill you in.

Firstly, this fathead has learned to climb the ladder to get to the top of the bookshelf. He's quite keen on their either pushing books off one-by-one, or climbing behind the books, getting squished. Not so keen, or effective, at getting back down again...

Creative events in Newcastle have continued to hold me in their thrall. It's not my fault I go out a lot, it's Newcastle's. There's so many fabulous things - like Propel at Catapult Dance in Newcastle West. Serious talent happening there. And I just love the atmosphere.

If I had to have a favourite indoor bar (my 'outdoor' one would be MoneyPenny at Honeysuckle) it'd be Coal & Cedar. Have a look at the dedication to the speakeasy theme!

Popping up around Newcastle are these delightful items. You know those weird electricity thingies? That are about thigh-high? Well, some glorious artist has been decorating them. This is my fave, it's a wee bride, perfect for the Bridal District!

I recently discovered that not only am I good at drinking cocktails, I can also mix a pretty mean one. My friend Athena and I went to a cocktail-making class at The Blind Monk at Hamilton and it was crazy fun. We didn't win the competition because I am pretty sure it was rigged ;)

I also went with my friend Cathy to learn how to crochet. AND I MADE THIS! I was so bloody delighted with myself. I've now bought some more wool and I'm just waiting for winter to sit in so I can crochet a pillow's worth of granny squares.

My cat remains ridiculously beautiful. He also coordinates nicely with just about every item of furniture in my house which is handy.

When my mum and step-dad were up from Melbourne we went to quite a few sessions of the ever-fabulous Newcastle Writers Festival. I fell in love with Tony Windsor while I was there. What a genuine man he is. I also saw a rainbow in the fountain. I love rainbows.

And fountains.

And public art, like this fountain.

We went to Bowral with my in-laws for a few days in the school holidays. We visited a very lovely nursery in Berrima and I fell in love with these stairs.

I also fell in love with these meringue mice at The Magpie Café at Berrima. They had plates piled with so many sweets that I couldn't help but swoon. But swoon was all I did as I had way too much of the beef and mulled wine pie to fit in another thing.

Even rhubarb crumble.

Who even am I?

 When you are learning to drive you have to fill in a log book with 120 hours of driving. When you live in the city, and five minutes from your daughter's school that is VERY difficult to achieve in a year. So we're now trying to notch up weekend country drives. The other weekend we drove out to Catherine Hill Bay. It was bloody beautiful.

Things I love: looking up at buildings at night. Here's our City Hall clock tower that's just been masterfully-restored. Next step, is restoring the building itself which is bringing me delight.

Speaking of things that are bringing me delight: this initiative. The café area downstairs below the Civic Theatre has never really been a success. I want something that's open for a coffee/wine/bit-to-eat before or after a show. But it needed that and more, I reckon this is it, Civic Digest is a digital library/wine bar and café.

The coffee was very good. I'll be back.

One benefit of unseasonably warm weather is that my roses are glorious!

I went to dinner the other night to celebrate that her PhD was accepted and she's officially a Dr! Obviously champagne was called for. So we went to Una Volta, a glorious little Italian place that has free BYO. The food was sublime, and look how cute my little red Fiat looks parked out the front!

Aside from that there's netball coaching again (love my new team!), coping with a child doing Year 11 (help me please!) and enjoying new challenges at work.

How about you?

have yourself a merry little christmas

I do love Christmas.

Finally, a chance to slow down and reflect on what really matters: health, family and friends. I'm pretty blessed with all three really (aside from dodgy netball knees...)

Wishing you, and your family the merriest of Christmases. May it be filled with love and laughter.

This pic was taken in Newcastle's Civic Park on the night the Christmas lights were lit. So lovely finally having the city filled with the Christmas spirit. Just as I was posed to take this shot the woman in the fabulous frock walked down the stairs and paused to take in the scene. Stunning!

PPMJ x

time excels at flying

 Goodness gracious, where, on earth, has time gone?

Is it seriously nearing the end of October? Eek!

Luckily, despite my frantic life at the moment, I have still stopped and taken time to smell the roses as I've dashed in and out of the house. I've even managed to snap the odd shot. Aren't they just divine?

It hard to cram life in at the moment. For example, last week I went with my friends C and A to see Magda Szubanksi in conversation with Rosemarie Milsom. It was just utterly lovely. Magda had so many stories to tell that an hour barely did her justice - but Rosemarie's stellar interviewing skills certainly did.

We had to dash out before having books signed so we could make our way over to Carrington Bowlo to check out Barry Morgan and his World of Organs. It was just as 70sFabulous as you'd imagine.

Who'd've thought that a man with a bouffant of hair, a range of safari suits and a Hammond Organ could possibly be so hilarious.

He was.

This wednesday I attended a meeting with a fab young group of scientists - looking to bring something super to Newcastle. Stay tuned! But I had to dash from that meeting to Christ Church Cathedral to check out 50 years of Architecture. What a place to hold the exhibition. As you could see, it was pretty darned cool.

Coming to this weekend, my friend A and I attended another Catapult Dance production. It's hard to believe, but they keep getting better. This one utilised every space of the studio and grounds. Check out 'Tissue Girl's" fabulous outfit - created by the talented Novocastrian sisters from High Tea With Mrs Woo.

Magical.

 We followed the dancer through the space - and oh, what a space it was.

Shipping containers with 'rooftop' gardens, with Newcastle West's gritty urban twilight skyline is something you don't get to see every day,

Here's the remnants of the tissues in the studio space. It was rather indescribable, but extraordinary.

I've left out a week in Melbourne, the This Is Not Art festival, and fangirling over Peter Garrett this week. There's been so much to see I've barely had time to snap off shots.

As Ferris said: "life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around for a while you might miss it."

oh you pretty thing

I crave fresh flowers in my house. I start to get an itch, and I must go scratch by buying a bunch. Yesterday's was fulfilled by these gorgeous anenomes - in shades of pink, red and cream. They are almost making up for the fact that I've developed an annoying head-cold - just before flying to Melbourne on Wednesday.

Eep!

But I'm not going to let a snotty nose and sore throat spoil my hols. I'll be delving into every laneway, checking out the David Bowie exhibition, lolling about on rooftop bars, spending time with family and old friends.

And shopping.

Let's not forget shopping.

Any Melbourne tips for me?

no one cares about your cat

You know I love nothing more than supporting local talent right? Well, I don't wish to play favourites - but I think Tantrum Theatre could be pretty much my favourite of the talents. I've seen a range of their performances and the thing that shines out is the utter joy that the artists experience during the productions.

That joy's contagious.

So tonight I went along with my friend J to see the opening night of No One Cares About Your Cat. I was very kindly gifted tix, which I feel ever-so-guilty about as I love supporting these acts by helping to swell their coffers, but I am very grateful.

 I knew the production would speak to me, someone who's pretty-much connected to social media 100% of the time. Hell, I met my bestest Newy friends A, C and J through twitter!

I am also fond of a cute cat pic or vid, so this opening montage delighted me no end.

The play was cleverly lit, often by the light of the mobile phones - smart stuff. I adored the interactive stuff - like the vlogger whose work was skilfully incorporated into the play with interaction between the audience before and during the play.

Here he is!

The play was an insightful commentary on the ways in which social media helps us direct our lives. Good? Bad? Well, it's never indifferent.

Also, as I said to my friend J, we must have a new generation who'll never take a bad photo as the selfie-gen are always clued up to their best angles and expressions.

The themes of cats were woven throughout, including with this rather glorious 'cats cradle' scene with glow-in-the-dark-yarn. I couldn't help smiling in delight throughout.

Not only did this make me smile, it made me think - a lot. I thought about loneliness, connectedness and friendship. I thought about how social media helps me share so much - including reviews of plays such as this!

I love seeing something that brings a smile to my face. This brought more - this brought me real joy. This collaborative piece was the work of so many talented artists, and it flew by ever-so-quickly. As we left the theatre I bumped into my friend Barney, who is Tantrum's founding father "I didn't want it to end!" he said. And I just had to agree. 

 I adore living in a city where talent and creativity is nurtured. Where talented youth get to work alongside more experienced performers. I love that Tantrum is so well-respected that they raised $10,000 through a Pozible campaign to get the show up and running. ONYA arts community!

Now get along quick and see this. It's on at the Civic Playhouse until Saturday 19th September. Find out more, and get tix here.

Thank you everyone involved in this - love your work. I really, really do.

propel: newcastle

image: catapult dance

I think I've found a new favourite thing. One thing Newcastle does very well is artistic innovation. This Is Not Art festival started here in 1998 and is a showcase for alternative festivals around the country, if not the world. I always block out the October long weekend and knock myself out seeing the fabulousness that's on display. 

And now we have the Newcastle Writer's Festival, bam, another weekend of awesome to immerse myself in. We do art, drama, music and culture beautifully, but, in my opinion, there's been an area where we've been a little understated.

Dance.

So THANK YOU Cadi McCarthy for moving to Newcastle and bringing innovation and inspiration with you. I was first introduced to Cadi's work when my heart took up residence in my mouth at the extraordinary choreography she created with local dancers during Stories In My Steps. I'd never experienced much modern dance before, and the intimate setting in 48 Watt made it even more stunning. Now Cadi's brought something special to Newcastle West with Catapult Dance.

Oh my.

Last night's Propel performance was a confronting piece of avant garde collaboration unlike anything I'd ever seen. Award-winning dancer Kristina Chan worked with filmmaker Neil Mansfield to craft a senses-shattering piece about Newcastle's uneasy relationship with coal - extra timely with the divestment issue focussed on us thanks to Newcastle Council's progressive stance on ethical investment. It was loud, it was weird, it was breathtaking.

I've never seen such a fluid body as Kristina's, this was dance as I've never seen it before - and it's bound to stay with me for a very long time.  It was extraordinary.

The question and answer session was generous, and revealed much about the artists, and the diverse audience they'd attracted.

We then went out the back for a performance by University of Newcastle Fine Art students. I was already excited as I'd spotted Alex, the vocalist who entranced me a few weeks ago at Visual Music at Newcastle Conservatorium. Accompanied only by a talented lad on an acoustic guitar she delighted the crowd with glorious vocals and a range that must be almost illegal.

Unbelievably, we were then treated to another dance. Inspired by Edie Segwick. This was incredible. It's a collaboration between Cadi, dancer Reagan Ashley Williams, Jessica Coughlin and Zackari Watt. It's a repeat outing, and deserved a replay.

Oh it was wonderful. From glorious projections, to the way Reagan Ashely uses her body, to the music, to the choreography. Sublime.

All this for only $10 - then we had a drink and the chance to chat with others in the audience, and the artists. I feel embarrassed that I paid so little and received so much.

Bring on the next collaboration.

People of Newcastle, we need to support these artists. If you love seeing this city come alive, follow them on social media, attend their performances and spread the word.

bedroom blues

image: housetohome.co.uk

We need to repaint our bedroom. We've been here for nearly 15 years (!!) which shows how good the previous paint job was. But we've now bought a new bed (fabulous antique french style - naturellement) and we're getting shutters in the bay windows, so it's time to paint.

I'm thinking duck egg blue for the walls. Is there a more relaxing colour than blue? (well, potentially the sage green our walls are painted at the mo'). With the white bed, and the new pale silvery grey and white Laura Ashely bedspread I've just bought it'll be blissful. We'll also finally getting around to painting our wall of wardrobes, which currently look a bit "Italian Grandparent" with their dark wood, but shall be French chic when chalk painted in pale grey with white details.

We've got eight weeks from when we order the shutters to when they arrive, so we'll have to get cracking next weekend. It's going to be a laboured process - but so worth it once it's finished.