Living life on a happy shoestring budget.

So, on the weekend I: went on a roadtrip, attended Soundwave, visited my grandma, visited my cousin and his friends, met up with my best friend Bop and met her boyfriend, and generally had a very good time. We got home on Sunday. On monday I woke up and there was a great big package on our doorstep from Mother with lots of interesting things inside. Two pots of jams she made herself, my Milly-Molly-Mandy book, my Cheap Date Guide to Style book, a present for my brother's 18th (last Thursday), his birthday card and a few other things. It was nice to get! Thanks muvver.

Soundwave - was excellent. Didn't have to be frightened of the lavatories, ate festival food (mmm hotdogs!), ran around with Sam all day and sat on the bleachers aaaannnndddd - saw Paramore. They were just great, and I had shivers down my legs the entire three quarters of an hour. My friends pointed and laughed at my goosebumps. But I didn't care because it was worth it. They are such great performers and made my day. Afterwards we walked back into the city, had showers, then ran around the streets until late in the night, but not too late because we left for home the next day. I got a speeding fine for doing 77 in a 60 zone, but I don't really mind. Its annoying having to pay a 200 dollar fine and recieve nothing in return for the hard earned money though, which is why most people don't like receiving fines, I guess.

This week I had two days off before I had to go back to work. I've just been cleaning and decorating my little house, and making it an even more comfortable place for us to be. I've decided I'm going to Woodford at the end of this year. I've missed so many years of the best festival ever, because it is smack bang from Boxing Day to New Years Day and I'm always trying to be somewhere else, or I'm working. But not this year. I'm going to commit, and I'm going to be sitting there between Arrin and Phil and Joey and enjoying every second of it. Except maybe I'll be a festival volunteer like last time; then I'll get in for free and it was really fun meeting all the hippies while I put on their wristbands and worked out their season ticket problems. Yes, that is what I'll do. Find out about the festival here.

So, now I'm going to get pie for lunch. I think that would be a suitable way to prepare for the 8 hour shift I'm about to have to work. I can't wait to be my own boss.

xx OTIG

To tell you the truth, I am a bit stupid

Not long now til Soundwave, only 5 sleeps. Getting pretty excited. On other notes entirely, living arrangements have changed. Well it was ages ago really. My girl housemate left and now I live a blissfully 'psycho-emotions' free life, with my brother. Who is very cool. So thats nice. I don't really like living with girls, I've decided.

Watched a movie with one of my friends yesterday, that was rather funny/messed up. Donkey Punch - you may have seen it. Its rated R and the concept is, well, precarious. I wouldn't recommend it for kids. But we laughed at the fucked-up-ness. I think we made approximately 5031 donkey punch jokes throughout the movie, and continuing on into the rest of the afternoon. We also appreciate the fact that we now have something to laugh hysterically together over, at parties when we might feel a bit awkward or embarressed. FUN!

 Keep your hats on ladies and gentlemen. xx OTIG

Stoop Lowe and Pick a Daisy...

One of the best issues yet.

Awesome outfit, and perfect make-up. Good structure here.

She's Peaches' bf, and a tiny bit of me is also wishing she's mine. Although I'm definately thinking my mum wouldn't approve, and that I'd also get in quite a bit of trouble as a result of her influence. But who cares, right.

xx OTIG (those are for you D)

A collection of favourites...

She and Him
Ft. Zooey Deschanel

Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson

These two together are pure gold...



Ladi6
Not sure if I've mentioned her before, she's from NZ and she's amazing. I could watch this clip all day.

Hobbies, Lifestyle, Love, Outfits.

Had a good night last night... drank a small bottle of vodka with lime and dry ginger ale (that's my new favourite tipple, the Boy was drinking whiskey!) at our friends place. We sat outside on the patio and listened to Alice Cooper on the radio, before pulling out every instrument in the house (they own a music shop) and playing old rock renditions late into the night. By the end of it I could barely sit upright in my chair so I took off, with the Boy trailing along behind me all the way home. Got in a little fighting match then fell asleep curled up in his arms. As I said before, all in all a good night.

On my wish list at the moment are these (see right). If you see the perfect pair, let me know. They have to be the perfect ones though, or no reward offered. These are the real deal. You can see the benefits - just imagine it started raining - your toots would barely get wet but you'd still have good ventilation. Jolly good idea I think.

My goodness I have a headache.

I've decided to post a few pictures of my little blue house so you can see for yourself how decidedly delicious it is, for yourself though. I, of course, am biased in my opinion.

The kitchen table was my grandma's - rather retro kitsch! In an unfortunate twist of fate my housemate accidently let the glass topper slide to the floor as she was lovingly cleaning it and snapped a little corner off, but thats alright, it still sits in there proudly. And on the wall in the second picture you can see a huge map of the USA and my cute-as-pie bookshelf. Its an old big dollshouse. Best find of my life, and right here in our local secondhand shop. That bookshelf will never leave my possession. I was going to post more photos but thats all for now... my internet is sleepy.

I'm of to work now. Ate some panadol and had a shower and I now feel like a new woman, ready to tackle her little coffee shop and woo those nice old-lady customers of mine (well, not literally tackle - the old ladies I mean). Loves and kisses from

OTIG xx

Well go get your shovel, and we'll dig a deep hole

I don't care what you say... I actually think Ms Hudgens has managed to quietly grow out of her child-star role/s in a certain (rather tacky) high school musical. Cue sigh of relief. And I also think you'll agree she happens to look smashing, both here and around the place. This woman has comfortable down pat, and I'm really getting into slouchy fashion lately (I invested in my first pair of Sportsgirl boyfriend jeans last week, and they are a dream to wear, so soft and snuggly). I'm not totally giving up on my mindresses, but its been raining lately and I've enjoyed potting around in my slouchy jeans and wellington boots. Its fun!

Love you, xx OTIG

Lessons of a Lipstick Queen

This book didn't change my life but it has definately activated my brain. I bought it at Melbourne Airport and didn't put it down until I turned the last page. It's amazing - you can tell when somebody has themself, and others, worked out. Poppy King is one of those people. In Lessons of a Lipstick Queen, she outlines exactly what it takes to make a wish into a reality, no matter what you're trying to do. In my case, it really helped me to think about plans of action I need to take to fulfill the goals I have - from little things like learning a new language, to big things like starting my dream little business.If you have a dream or wish, you need to pick up this book. Even if you have no idea where you might start, it will quite possibly provide you with the inspiration and direction to begin. Clear your mind, don't worry, and have a read. Poppy is simple and direct and I think that you will really love it.

Here is NYLON's coverage, including an interview...

Another book I ready lately : Slash - autobiography of the infamous Guns 'n' Roses lead guitarist. It was quite good, excellent for an insight into the band and how they evolved. Well written and almost endearing, he was pretty honest about how far off the rails he actually went, and his efforts to get back on them. Made me think about and like my good rocker boyfriend even more (he wants to read it next, but he's halfway through a Red Hot Chilli Peppers memoir). My brother loved it too.

More I have to share - next you're in Melbourne and on Bridge Rd, Richmond, you must visit Tweek Cafe (266 Bridge Rd). It's quite easy to find - almost on the corner of Church st. It is the cheapest and best place we went to the whole week. The shop itself is the cutest thing ever, you can sit outside on the pavement, inside with the action, or out the back in the itsy bitsy courtyard. The coffee is sensational, and it was, and will be, exactly the same every time. The menu is the essence of quality and variety, and it manages to be surpising but simple at the same time. We went for breakfast twice. The boys got Big Tweeks, Tweek's version of the traditional big breakfast. It wasn't just traditional, it was the most delicious they'd had. I had the Tuscan; a perfect combination of hot buttered toast, spinach, fried juicy tomatoes, piles of bacon, poached eggs and topped by big slices of fresh avocado. It was the only way to start a fabulous day in my city.

So those are a few things I though you should know.

xx OTIG

Melbourne was made for me...

I've just spent one of the best weeks of my life in one of my favourite cities with two of my favourite boys... and haven't we had a blast! We have honestly spent every minute of every day shopping, festival-going, skateboarding, eating, gazing and marvelling. Its been outstanding. And now we're down to our last day; we fly out tomorrow at 3:00pm.

I now own: $100 cash, a credit card bill and the heaviest bag you can imagine - full of new dresses, coats, stockings, scarves, books and magazines, shoes and knick-knacks. I have found some of the coolest things on the planet! Lucky I've two boys to help me carry it home. My poor bag is straining at the seams: I brought way too many things with me to start with - possibly owing to the fact that I was drunk as a skunk when I packed my bags. But that's alright - at least I didn't run out of clothing like the boys. By the end of this week they were lining their t-shirts up on the couch and systematically spraying them over with a deoderant can. I think even turned themselves off. So I acted as Personal Shopper and helped them find some new, bobbin, clean threads to pour themselves into. Must say we ended up with some pretty stylin pieces!

The weather has been purely delicious, despite Tuesday - Big Day Out - hitting the high thirties in the sun. I swear that, when we sat down in the shade, we shivered from the fresh, chilly breeze that wafted through the grounds. It was great. They also had misty sprinklers drifting over the mosh pits, which made them quite pleasant, and almost un-mosh-pitty! Lovely. Flemington Racecourse loved it. They had the BEST food there. I ate: 2 hotdogs (with onion, ketchup and mustard oh my goodness they were amazing), 1 buttered and salted full corn cob, 1 cup of hot chips and an orange. And a FANTA. Its been forever since I drank Fanta.

The bands were full-on fabulous, too. Kasabian rocked, Rise Against kicked arse, Jet smashed it, Lily Allen was delicous, Powderfinger were tops and MUSE absolutley blew the show out of the water. They just finished the day off perfectly and I can't think when I last had a more exciting one. It was smashing. Caught up with my cousin, Jess, and wore my gumboots - Glastonbury style. I got comments!

Anyway, I'm going to find the boys. I just needed to update with all the fabulous details. I wish I could have been on here more this week so I could write down everything that we did, because we had the most insane days. It doesn't get dark until 9:30pm here so you can really pack them full. I'm going to put up a list of my favourite haunts too, so keep your pretty eyes open.

CIAO see you soon.

xx OTIG

Oh! And by the way, I fulfilled tradition and found a skull scarf. This one is my favourite yet! It's grey and has pink, blue, grey, green, black and white skulls peppered all over it. Stella!

I love this place... sigh.

My Ultimate Icon

As I was talking with my brother the other morning about books and stories we used to read, I had an epiphany. Could it be that my ultimate style icon has, all this time, been Milly-Molly-Mandy? It makes sense - I have subconsiously been searching for the perfect simple little frock, and the perfect little pair of brown ruddy boots for longer than I can remember; and our soft-back, pink and white covered collection of Milly-Molly-Mandy stories was, and still is, my favourite book of all time.

Millicent Margaret Amanda was a simple character, but by no means boring or brainless (take, for example, her name - which was changed to Milly-Molly-Mandy for convenience sake). The adventures she had were rivetting and exciting, and so well written that even adults secretly enjoy them. She lived out my dream life - residing the Nice White Cottage with the Thatched Roof with Muvver and Farver and Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle and Aunty: she had her entire family right there, all day, every day. She had two best friends, a boy and a girl, and they were Billy Blunt and Little Friend Susan respectively. And every day she was doing something interesting - tad-poling with Billy Blunt, furnishing the perfect treehouse with Little Friend Susan, camping in the field with tents fashioned from chairs and sheets, running errands and making profits, and going carolling at Christmas. There were so many stories I can't even remember them all - and they were all the stuff of a great genious. Joyce Lankester Brisley, the author, had the right idea... write stories about everything you did, or wish you did when you were little. Add security (the heroine always wears the same thing - a little pink-and-white striped cotton frock); family and friends; the healthy morals and standards of the 1930's and a little bit of humour, and those stories will last forever, imprinted on the minds of those who ever read them. I always wanted to be Milly-Molly-Mandy, nay, I was : every single time I picked up that book.

The Age - on Milly-Molly-Mandy and her lifestyle

So, if MMM is my style icon, or indeed my life icon, how do I live?

Well, I already have a best boy and best girl friend, thats easy - Tom and Meg (Little Friend Meggie heh heh!). They've always been that. Next, the hair. Believe it if you will, but I had a little, dark bob for almost my entire life, well, until my muvver ceased to control that area of my being. And, as mentioned before, I have always been in search for the perfect little frock and pair of brown boots, but have never found The Ones. I really hope that one day we will be united (I'm sure that when we are, they will be my uniform). You already know that my family is one of the most important aspects of my life, and I think this is reflected in MMM's as well. Of course it is! She lives with every single one of them. And they all have the biggest influence on her life as she grows up. My Grandma and Grandpa actually only lived across the creek when we were growing up - so we were pretty lucky as well. I feel really sad for people who don't have their family close.

Finally, the biggest thing in common I would wish to have is her personality. MMM is the nicest, sweetest, most genuine person you will ever come across. She helps animals; she loves her family and friends and would do absolutely anything for any of them; she doesn't worry about the little things and always comes up with a solution; she always does a good job and doesn't give up til she's finished something properly; she shares everything; she helps when she can; and she always puts others before herself. Everybody loves Milly-Molly-Mandy, and that's the reason why. I think she makes for a very good Ultimate Life Icon.

xx OTIG

In retrospect

So, luckily, the crazyiness and insolence of Christmas and New Years 09/10 is over and gone, leaving us now to return to normal and view the possibilities of 2010 - minus the gel colour filters of alchohol, too much food, drunken tears, late night phone calls and doggy-scaring fireworks.

I spent the countdown in a low, dark park on the edge of town, sitting on a picnic table with my legs pulled up in front, two dogs circling around sniffing and eyeing me suspiciously. Presently the dogs disappeared into the night and as the clock neared twelve, I could hear little parties all around and above me errupting into cheers of congratulations and celebrations, echoing off into the night. It wasn't the worst way to spend New Years.

But as I said before - its all behind again now for another annum, and we can now look ahead with bated breath. What are you hoping for this year? I intend to get closer again to owning my little dream shop - through saving, learning and scrounging. I want to learn as much as possible, read lots of books and spend enormous amounts of time with family. And I want to become nicer, and stop thinking about myself as much. These aren't new year's resolutions, or anything silly like that. These are just courses of action that will get me closer to where I want to be and what I want to be. I hope you have the best year, with even better to come :)

xx OTIG

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!