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!

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.