Un des festivals de musique originale...

This year marked the 40th Anniversary of the very first Woodstock Festival in August, 1969. They must've had a blast!

Merry Christmas, Little J

I don't really like Christmas, but you will find that every year it comes around with annoying regularity. In particular, I dislike the materialism. As a body who is hopeless at keeping secrets or special surprises (remember this before you confide, ps) it is incredibly hard for me to:

1. upon sourcing an ideal present for an ideal person, refrain from proudly presenting said present immediately and,

2. try to find an ideal present when under extreme pressure as a result of lack of time, lack of funds and/or lack of inspirations.

I find others have these problems also. This is why, late Christmas Eve, gift shops are packed with desperados rushing around trying to find something, anything, to wrap and give the unfortunate individual still without a gift under the tree (a tree whch is probably fake and doused with tacky decorations). These presents are meaingless and materialistic; just more things.

I'm sick of trying to make every Christmas a Dream Christmas. It never dishes up that level of satisfaction. There is always somebody missing... I'm jealous of people who always have their entire family around them, all of whom make an effort to pitch in with the celebrations. You may think this is dreamy and unrealistic, but I actually know people like that. I always feel alone at Christmas, no matter who is around.

Anyway, in an effort to now turn this mini-emo-essay into a more positive insight, I'll let you know my day hasn't been all bad... I still had most of my close family and one of my extended family around and I had fun giving them presents I knew they would love, in turn getting good ones myself. Also, because I am currently in my first full time job with all the benefits, I'm getting a little kick out of getting paid without having to be at work! Definately a plus.

So I really hope everybody had a good Christmas... we just have to remember that its a time for peace, and catching up, and lazing around for the day, and remembering Jesus' birth. Because without Him, we wouldn't even be here, and that'd not be much fun, would it?

xx OTIG

Wednesday. Wed-nes-day. Day off!

Well, today has been nice. Right now I'm sitting in my boyfriend's room listening to him play around on his guitar and watching the 7pm Project. Although, the latter is hard to do, due to the volume and enthusiasm of the former. Earlier today I had a good club lunch with my dad, and then I went with him to check out the deck he is working on, then he took me to buy magazines (eep!) and he hung out at my place for a bit. I made him iced coffee and we had fun finding cities on the huge map of America hung precariously on my loungeroom wall, and talking about farming (he's passionate about that).

I hate posting without things.

We're all getting really excited about Big Day Out and Soundwave. Only one and two months to wait though, so thats good. I guess Christmas has to happen first. And New Years... New Years. I hate New Years! They always suck. None of this 'all your special people in the same room' mush. All my favourite people are scattered all over the world and they are never where I want them when I want them. Stupid favourite people. And my boyfriend will be somewhere with the boys while I'm stuck at home because of work the next day. I'll probly just drink to a coma and make a disgrace of myself, there's a good New Years - one I don't remember!

Anyway, I'm going - its dinner time and I'm hungry. Have a good night x

There's a nice Peach!

Look at that, finally some good coverage regarding one of the wildest of our generation. She's modelling for the Children in Need Appeal along with a number of other recognisables. I always knew she had it in her, but the press never ever let up. Check out these next pics - she looks a vision. People need to stop over-anylising her, because its not like she's done anything naughtier than us at 16. We've all done that naughty stuff, and so have mum and dad - we just don't have the paparazzi to prove it. Although... some have had a nosy Central Telegraph reporter in the courtroom writing their full names down for Fridays publication. Screw you Russell Guse!

  

  

And while we're on the topic of Peaches, who I just have to admit is, one of my absolute favourite muses... She's the one I'll be taking festival notes from this year - especially after last year's - Good Vibrations. No more DJ fests for me. Real talent, as opposed to Buttons, and in the shape of Big Day Out and Soundwave. And I'll definitely be wearing gumboots, and will have a poncho tucked away in my satchel - because that (see below), is very similar to the face I was wearing at the aforementioned GV... aka Mud and Sewerage Festival.

Love you Peaches! xx OTIG

Concentration!

Being a Homebody...

So, we're all moved in and stuff. Actually, we've been moved in for about 3 weeks now, but because of that fact I haven't had the internet with which to post on my blog. So I have to quickly put on a little post whenever I sleepover at the Boy's. All my things fit in our weeny flat perfectly, and I'm really over the moon because today, I purchased a huge doll's house to use as a bookshelf. It's taller than me. It is the BIGGEST doll's house I have ever seen. And now its mine.

I continue to be inspired by Jessica Szohr  and Megan Fox, and was rather excited to find that quite a number of my favourite publications have recently featured them, including Rolling Stones, NYLON, Shop Til You Drop and NW. I was particularly impressed with Megan's interview in NYLON. You never can tell, of course, how honest the interview is, but this was the realest one I've read yet. If you can get your hands on the October issue, have a squiz.

  

  

There is nothing my flatmate Meggs and I enjoy more than hanging out in our new little home with Sex and the City buzzing in the background, a soft, Motown vinyl spinning on the record player, dinner bubbling on the stove and delicious, silky moisturiser on our freshly cleaned faces. And an ice cold Coke on a warm summers night, because my goodness, hasn't it been hot? Right now we're loving Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Daily Regenerating Moisture lotion. I put it on after cleansing and toning at night, just before bed, and as soon as I wake up in the morning. You have never felt anything this nice! And it makes your skin bea-u-tiful. With a capital B, and not to mention the SPF 15 factor. I know I sound like a commercial right now, but it is truly good. Meggs gave me a whole bottle to myself and I was hap-py. You can check those products out for yourself here.

And today - The Boy is a happy one, having purchased the new slimline PS3. I'm ecstatic because he hired a game just because he knew I loved it; that being Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. Its a mega insane fighting game, and it features Wonder Woman. My idea of the perfect date, having had the experience today, is just what we did - go for kebabs, hang out on the couch and versus Wonder Woman against every single competitor in the series (both Mortal Kombat and DC Universe), and make out in between fights. It was awesome! I even won exactly half the fights, so we both came out of the lenthy sesh in a pretty good mood. Make that really good, if you count the making out.

  

I'm in love.

Speaking of love, the Boy and I are about 4 days off our 2 yr 'Going Out' Anniversary. Is that worthy of mention? He's taking me to the beach and movies. Small, but we are saving money, and anyway, I know exactly how much he loves me without the big show. He shows me every day!

Anyway, I sign out here for now. Big update. Take all that in. And stay classy San Diego. I'll see you next year, by the way! xx OTIG

Fringe Girl is now my Middle Name - Apparently

Last week I got a haircut! - bit of a change. I went from the side-sweep fringe and side part that I've had for years, and went for a middle part and full frontal straight fringe (I must admit I had to envision Zooey Deschanel when my eyes squeezed closed for the big chop). I also had an eyebrow tint for the stronger brow look I've been wishing to encompass (a la Megan Fox, Camilla Belle, Wonderwoman). My roomy is going to box colour my hair the darkest its ever been, either today or tomorrow.

Will perhaps post pictures when it has grown into me a bit... xx OTIG

Ma petite amie, Amélie

Streetstyle... Paris Fashion Week

Those lips = tres chic.

Nice furs!

My absolute favourite pick of the bunch. For some reason - I love this outfit.

Grey marle, sloppy soft jumper, Body Con skirt, chucky chain braclet, dark hair and strong eyebrows. This makes me want to go to Paris... again.

Sparrow James Midnight Madden

What a delicious name... perhaps Spazza for short?

New Living Arrangements and Patty Cakes...

For the last year and a half I have been living with my (very nice) boyfriend in a tiny bedroom, with a much tinier closet. We love each other very much, but the one and only thing I get a little bit stiff about is his blatant disregard of my poor little clothes. Doesn't he know that one can never have too many little summer frocks, or jeans that fit just right? Because I love him so much, I've done as much as I can to keep my array out of his way, however, I have finally been dealt relief. Yesterday afternoon my best friend Meggan called me, rather excitedly, to let me know that we have been approved for the little blue flat we applied for last week. A whole little house to ourselves.

Admittedly, my lip wobbled a little bit upon comprehension that I wouldn't see my boy quite as much as before, but when I revealed my worries to him he just laughed and gave me a little kiss. It turns out he is most excited about sleepovers, and promises that we will spend just as much time together as ever.

So now I am free of worries, leaving plenty of room to be excited. Now that I have my own kitchen, I am going to cook patty cakes every week.

The BEST Halloween outfit EVER.

A very good idea. For a Pac Man Fan.

Jealously can be Inspiring!

Check out these works of art which, I am proud to say, where created by my brother (thanks for the permission :)). You can see more of his photographic genious here - scribblesandmarkings.blogspot.com

The REAL Kim Cattrall

I've just finished reading Kim Cattrall's book - Being a Girl. Its different than other self help books I've read, and it really struck me. Here's an exerpt from her section on persistence:

'When you're younger, it seems like the world is filled with accomplished people who seem to have limitless confidence and endless supplies of self esteem. I'm learned, that is not the whole story. Behind every achievement - whether its an Olympic gold medal, a weekly paycheck, or a well-cooked meal - lies a story rich in mistakes, experimentation and failure. We all make mistakes. The point is to learn as much as you can from them... If you've never failed, it might mean that you've never tried anything new, never attempted to push past your limits, or challenged yourself. If you think of failure as the end, then you've really lost. If you think of failure as a beginning, you're that much closer to your next success - even if it means making a few different choices along the way.'

"It's better to explore life and make mistakes than to play it safe. Mistakes are all part of the dues one pays for a full life." -Sophia Loren

The Best Icons - Jessica Szohr II

Jess and Leighton off-set. Digging her flats. She also wore these when she was hanging with Chace and his parents (and looked adorable).

Skinnies - perfect. Rocker Tee - perfect. Oversized black bag - perfect.

Jess, can we be besties?

And while we're on topic - cute.

Intelligent Creatures

Mmm, punky nerd. They don't come much more flavoursome than that.

On the topic, Miss Fox

To be fair - she says some questionable? stuff. But my, she photographs well.

And kudos to RS for the covershoot. Its nice to look at!

She looks so good on covers... perhaps I have a girl crush ;)