About blogging, and giant babies

Hi, sorry I haven't been around for a while...I've been busy and lacking inspiration. I'm having a blogger dilemma. Perhaps more appropriately, I am suffering from a bad case of blog boredom. I am one of those people who follows many a famous, big hit fashion blog, but I have just about stopped reading all of them. There are a select number of blogs that I look for on my dashboard which I find interesting, funny, inspiring (you know who you are - if I am following you and you are not a 'world famous' blogger then don't worry, I like your blog!) but none of these top blogs are any of these things. All they are is hundreds of photos of themselves in vintage or more often pseudo vintage (my arch enemy) clothing, or photos of themselves and their boyfriends/husbands frolicking around on holidays, while we are constantly reminded about how wonderful their life is.

Thanks. I find this most interesting.

It is starting to drive me insane. I find that the blogging world suffers from a serious case of copy-cat syndrome. It is odd that 99% of these top bloggers some of whom have many hundreds or thousands of followers, most of the time dress in the same way and blog about things in the same manner, which is why it becomes boring if you are someone like me who looks for a unique voice/sense of style. I am not saying that just because your blog is highly popular that it is automatically bad, obviously people must start somewhere and perhaps some of the smaller blogs that I like will become famous in the future, but it does seem as though the blogging world, like the real world, highlights people who conform, not people who have the guts to be different.

So should we feel sad that only 5% of bloggers appreciate our blog? No, absolutely not.

Last year I was forced to take a compulsory class as part of my major, (which I despised at the time, but have since come to realise was more helpful than I ever thought it could be) where we looked at the philosophy of writing. Only one concept has stuck with me from this class, and that is Bourdieu's concept of 'art for art's sake'. In a nutshell, Bourdieu discusses the fact that 'high art' ie. modernist literature like Joyce's Ulysses is often unpopular or rejected by bourgeois society while it is bench marked by the elite as a seminal work of art and made as 'art for art's sake,' without economic gain. In contrast, things that are often popular amongst the status quo and hence economically successful are often seen to be crude or labelled as 'bad' art by the elite - the best example of this I think is Blockbuster Hollywood movies of today.

I think the analogy I am trying to make here is fairly obvious so I will leave it at that. But basically the purpose of this post is to say, I want to make my blogging more interesting, so I have decided to start a writing blog (I will probably keep posting on this one too) so I can write opinion articles about issues I find interesting, and begin my quest to improve my writing skills and enter the world of writing/publishing. This hasn't happened yet, but I hope to start it up soon. I've also posted the essay I wrote about Bourdieu's theory in relation to the 70s Punk movement as part of that class on a new page labelled Articles and Essays if you care to have a look.

In other news, Melbourne is currently full of giant reptile babies. I know, weird. It's for the annual Melbourne Festival. This is a picture of me in front of one baby. My friend S who took the photo says it looks like it is trying to do yoga.

 

 

 

Thanks for reading.

Thinking Out Loud

Todays post is really just my mind in pictures, kind of inspiration and what not.

Firstly, I haven't posted about how much I love George in a while, but I still heart George and love this photo. He has a beautiful smile. Men (and women!) who have beautiful smiles are beautiful.

 

I also bought The Beatles Number 1's last week and am loving it. Love these boys. I love seeing pictures of people when they look genuinely happy, which is why I like this picture below. I like the Beatles because they're a happy band (well in the early years) and when I listen to them they make me happy too.

 I just came across this picture on tumblr, and have decided that I need this room to be my bathroom haha I love how kitschy 60s home decor is!

 It's also been a while since I had my hair cut, and it's slowly starting to grow out...contemplating whether or not to cut it again. On Monday my friend suggested over coffee that I should cut my hair in a little 20s bob and gel two little curls around my cheeks. My first response was, this dosen't really work with my 70s tomboy styling, but now it is churning around the back of my head like a growing possibility. Still pondering...

 I also watched Ghost World for the first time this week and really liked it. I like the fact that Enid has this thing for nerdy guys and how cynical she is. I can really relate to that. Feeling like an outsider sometimes. I also just think it's hilarious, and love movies that can make you laugh out loud in a non artificial/trying-too-hard way.

 Finally I've been doing alot of cooking the past week, and need to listen to music while I cook otherwise it's too boring! I've been listening to Led Zepplin a lot and really love Babe I'm Gonna Leave You. It has great riffs.

Anyway thanks for your comments on my previous posts. I always love reading them.

Happy Wednesday!

 

Blue Jeans

I'm house and dog sitting at the moment, in the lovely (uber hipster *rolling eyes*) suburb of Brunswick. This is a big deal for me because a) I usually live in the outer suburbs about an hours journey from the inner city and b) I am not used to living alone and having total responsibility for my life! 

And so far I'd have to say, having soul responsibility for myself is pretty sweet. I think I am a very introverted person anyway, so it's nice to have my own space for a little while.

In other news I bought a pair of high waisted 70s jeans on etsy which came in the mail last week. I have been wearing them almost everyday. Today I managed to get a snap of them on in the changing rooms with my Runaways t-shirt.

I think I really like wearing them so much because they make me feel super hot and alternative amongst all the hipsters and their skinny jeans ("I mean seriously, that is like, so last year") haha I know. Mean!....And because I like to pretend I'm Joan Jett haha

Anyway, going to the supermarket for food has also made me realise how true this song is:

Apologies for this erratic post!

Hope you're having a great weekend!

There must be something I can dream tonight

I can't work out whether I'm listening to this song on repeat because I'm sad, or I'm sad because I'm listening to this song on repeat. But this album is gold, and her voice is so haunting.

Blonde on Blonde memories

I'm listening to this record again.

It is probably my favourite Dylan album that I have listened to, and it is also the first Dylan I ever listened to. So the album has alot of distinct memories attached to it for me. I find with music that you really connect with, you always have memories of when you first listened to it. In this case Blonde on Blonde brings back memories of being in first year uni. Listening to this made me feel very grown up haha but I was still very shy and naive. So now that I'm a little older and a little wiser it's still nice to listen to it, it makes me feel younger. I get this feeling of hopefulness and excitement that you feel when you start growing up...

Anyway, I may have mentioned this before, I can't remember, but the title of this blog is from the song Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands at the end of the album. I pretty much love all the songs on this record and find it really hard to choose favourites, but here is a 'romantic' favourite:

*Also, to all my friendly followers, I am sorry if I haven't commented back much lately, I seem to be having trouble commenting on some blogs and not others?? But know that I am still reading!*



Something to be said

I'm excitied because I have re discovered the joy of reading.

image

I this is due in part to two things

a) I am officially finished studying literature and

b) Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is an incredible read.

In my experience you only really stumble across books that rip though you once in a while and I have to say that this was the first book this year that I didn't want to put down. It is also the first book I have read for pleasure in a long time. Then I saw this image on tumblr and was immediately drawn to the comparisons between Safron-Foer's novel and The Bell Jar and also Catcher In The Rye (I know! Totally the Lit student in me!). All three novels are set in New York and are all novels that greatly moved me. There must be something about the setting of New York that lends itself to great writing?

Anyway many thanks to Charlotte for recommending it to me.

Hello Friday

Apologies for being a bad blogger lately, I've been feeling a little bit like "where is my head?" this week.

I had my final university class for my course yesterday, which felt quite strange/exciting and now I have to make decicisions....scary! Thank goodness Friday has come around again (horray!) 

Here are some of my favourite images of the week...

images: 1, 2, 3 & 4

Tomorrow I am going to attend the Melbourne Slut Walk, which you have probably heard about in the media - in opposition to victim blaming and sexual assult. It is happening tomorrow in Melbourne and Brisbane 1pm. If you are interested you can read more about it here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/SlutWalk-Australia/211758318842182

In the meantime hope you have a lovely Friday!

peace x

Some things that make me happy...

I think that if you start to feel sad because you miss people who are in another country or another state it's definately a reason to start surrounding yourself with more happy things!

These are just a few things that make me smile...

1. George Harrison's mustache

2.  Watching Anna Karina movies in bed

3. That 70s show

4. A nice, cheap cup of tea in the afternoon

and

5. Friendship

Guess I have lots to work with hey.

 Have a great Wednesday

x L

In my dreams

Last night I had a dream about this man, this lovely man and in my dream I was in love with George (I know "are you sure this was a dream"!) All I can say is that it is terribly indulgent when you dream that you are in a relationship with you're musician crush! and even though George broke my heart in the end...though I can't exactly remember why?...I still thoroughly enjoyed my nights sleep haha...

I can't imagine what it must have been like to be a teenager in the 60s, to go to a Beatles show and to see your Beatle crush up so close, yet so far away. It must have been so heart breaking to know that these (very lovable) Beatles boys would probably never know you existed!

Anyway I thought I'd paste an outfit from yesterday onto the end of this story, especially seeing as my outfit was 60s...The weather has also been unbelievably freezing the past week which is why I whipped out this massive scarf - not sure I can go back to wearing moderately sized scarfs after this, it is so snuggly!

 outfit: dress vintage, shoes thrifted, scarf was a hand-me-down

Having a great weekend I hope!

Honey

images: 1, 2, 3 & 4

Feeling lovey, listening to Best Coast and hanging out for Friday already.

Hope your Tuesday was quite nice  :)

Typical self-therapy

What can I say, today has been a grumpy day for me. Things (and my brain!) just haven't been running the way I'd like them too and as you're probably aware, feeling grumpy and out of sorts makes you well, very un-productive - and believe me, it's the first day back from holidays and I NEED to be productive!

Anyway....I have been coping in my usual ways:

a. Talking it through with life-saving bf who is always there for me (so lucky to have such a great bf!!)

b. Trying my hardest to ignore/snub life in general (not as hard as you'd think when you have a blog!)

and

c. Listening to 70s punk (la ultimate solice)

Anyway...have probably listened to this song about ten times already tonight - it's funny when certain songs just seem to resonate with you at certain times and you have to listen to them over and over again isn't it?

Here's to Tuesday!

Peaceful dreaming

Today was such a beautiful day in Melbourne and I was lucky enough to spend it in the company of friends. We went to the beach and looked out at the water sparkling up from the cliffs and ate hot chips in the sun. And then we went back home and played games all afternoon haha, such big kids! We dressed up and played ware-wolves and villagers, out of control (this funny board game), four square which I haven't played for at least ten years! and spud and we ate soup out of one big pot. It was the best.

Hope you had a lovely Saturday too

images from here & here

Back to the city...

Hey there, I'm back from my hibernation weekend away at the "alternative living festival" Confest in southern NSW. I felt very alive and refreshed when I got home. Confest is basically a big hippie festival where people have the freedom to express themselves in whatever way they like ie. wear strange out there clothing, go naked, openly express their sexuality, practice alternative medicine/healing etc.
At first when I arrived I felt a bit over whelmed because I'd never experienced such an open, alternative atmosphere - being from the city I thought "Oh my gosh I do not fit in here" - I actually felt like I stood out because I looked too straight edged or something - not that people were judgemental though. But then the next day I just said to myself "ok I'm gonna try and enjoy myself and be open minded" and then I started to really enjoy and appreciate the atmosphere.

I got to do and see some awesome things while I was there like:

• I tried chanting meditation and outdoor yoga
• went to sleep to the sound of drums 
• had a naked spa and shower out in the open with other people
• went in a big grey mud puddle
• painted my body
• saw people doing naked yoga!
• and opened my mind to new ways of being

just to name a few. I also saw a funnel web spider right outside where I was camped, but surprisingly I wasn't scared - I thought it must have been far more scared of all the noise than I was of it.

Anyway, I feel a bit sad to be back in the city rat-race again - I was really starting to embrace my inner hippy haha plus that kind of inner and outer freedom is really hard to find. In the city people are rude and grumpy and self centered and judge mental. Oh well I guess the city does have it's benefits and it's luxuries too eh.

Bring it on city! I can take you!
x L

10 Things...

images via here

Liza from Hello Beautiful Street was kind enough to nominate me for the 'kreative blogger award' thanks Liza! You should definately check out her blog for more awesome thrift store styling!!

So basically this award asks me to share ten things about myself with you and then pass on the pleasure to ten other lovely bloggers. Here is my ten:

1. My favourite colour used to be purple, but now it is red

2. I study literature and creative writing at uni and would like to one day write a book of poetry

3. Two books that changed my life are Catcher In The Rye and Orlando

4. I'm vegan: I am happier and more complete since I stopped eating animals

5. I used to learn Russian, but I wasn't very good at it!

6. I am sweet for George Harrison

7. I love the smell of vinyl records

8. I like both the hippie and the punk movements of the 60s and 70s (I think my personality has elements from both those scenes in it haha wierd I know)

9. I think I am a misanthrope: I don't believe in world peace, but I would like to have world peace

10. I wish that I could have experienced Woodstock

Now I would like to pass this award on to:

Jess @ You've Got The Silver

Rhiannon @ Ashen Lady

Emma @ Emma's Picnic

Krystallee

MaybeVintage

Dolly @ The Knack and How to Get It

Sweet Agatha @ Dear Sweet Agatha

Triona @ The House of Supreme

L-Ann @ Lets Talk Nonsense

Honor @ Teapot Honor

And to finish, some Sgt Pepper amazingness...

Have a wonderful weekend!

Think kind thoughts...

 

 Images: via here and here

peace x

Dreams and realities

image

As I'm sure you may have noticed I've been feeling a little bit angsty lately. Not in a bad way - my life definitely isn't falling to pieces, in fact I feel like I am in a good place in my life. It is more a kind of restless angst, expectant and suspicious of things to come.

I have met quite a few new people lately, which is great (I am only just beginning to get over my shyness at 21!) all of which are nice and some of which are of the opposite sex. I find this slightly unsettling because at the start of the year I finally managed to shake off my desire for a 'man' and appreciate being independent. So essentially as soon as I stop looking for love fate presents me with a platter of nice guys. I have also grown to be instinctively suspicious of happiness.

I guess I try and combat this feeling of suspicious instability by:

a. listening to angry girl music haha

and

b. dressing with my foot in two doors - feminine and tomboy - ie. I like to wear short skirts with clumpy riding boots, or florals with bow ties...

and

c. sometimes writing poetry

I suppose the most important thing to remember is that, no matter what happens (nothing may happen or everything may happen) is to love yourself and be true to your own desires.

Here is a song from my favourite teenage go-to angsty band: The Ramones - 'Needles and Pins'

Hope you're having a fun week.

x L

Yet more angsty girl music

I'm really digging P J at the moment.

My weekend

I made it back from duck rescue. Thanks to all of you for your support and well wishes regarding this issue :) It was quite an experience - very surreal. This kind of contrast between the serene beauty of the wetlands at dawn and these terrible gut shots echoing all around you. It was also nice being around so many like minded people.

Unfortunately there was an accident on Saturday and one of our duck rescuers was shot in the face. Very shocking and scary - and it was all over the news. Luckily she was ok as the shot guns only scatter small pellets- just in shock as you can imagine. The media seems to have taken our side in this incident so hopefully this will increase the chances of having duck shooting banned. I also (like many people) got fined on Saturday (boo boo boo!) because what we were doing was illegal. And I nearly got fined again on Sunday except I ran like hell through the water and mud to get away from the officers!!

Anyway we managed to save some ducks but sadly alot of the injured ducks we did rescue died of shock soon afterwards. Also, because of heavy rainfall there were alot of baby ducks around and this meant that baby ducks were killed. Our rescuers collected their tiny bodies as evidence. Even if they weren't killed by bullets they will die of starvation if their mother's get shot.

Sorry to end on such a sour note. I promise future posts will be nice and positive!

x L

Dress

Really loving this song at the moment.



Angst, irony, empowerment, this song says it all.

Oscar needs a new dress

Over the past few years I have found myself becoming increasingly dissatisfied and bored with the Oscar red carpet fashions. I think this is partly due to my taste becoming more individual and to the fact that the fashions have stayed largely the same for the past ten years. When I say 'the same' I mean, "Dear god! Not another tight fitting/bodysuit-esque sequined dress that fans out into a predictable V shape!"

Arrrrrrghhhh!

It seems to me that when choosing an Oscar dress one is required to channel the wisdom of someone like Goldilocks. One cannot go too boring...

Exhibit A

but nor can one go too 'ugly'

Exhibit B



(I do like her music, but not this dress!)

It has to be just right! Don't I just sound so NW/Who trashy magazine editor with my scathing analysis haha!

As you may have realised, boring fashion brings out the mega-bitch in me....

This granted, if I ever had the misfortune to be invited to the Oscars, I would like to wear something like this just to show them how much I hate their uncharacteristic glamour...

 (image: Coco Avant Chanel)

I think my desire for simplicity and quirky details at the Oscars relates a lot to the story of Coco Chanel.

I'd love to see the reaction on everyone's faces as I swaggered down the red carpet in my tweed trousers!

Do you have an Oscar fantasy?

p.s I'm happy Colin Firth  and The Kings Speech won. This man and this film are just the best!

x L