Oh hello, it's me again

I'm back.

After a rather lengthy hiatus, Ici et La's engines are grinding once again.

So much time has passed, so many months, so many seasons, so many parties, so many battles fought, so many walks walked, talks talked, laughs laughed and so much chocolate eaten. So much time spent under the doona, solving Sudoku, curled up on the couch, cuddled in the arms of friends, texting on my mobile, singing along to a favourite tune. So many magazines read until they're dogeared. So many dumplings eaten. So many memories captured in a snapshot. So many new discoveries, new friends, new bands, new clothes, new goals and new experiences. And just a bit more of old books, old hoodies, old friends, old favourites and old music.

So much, so many.

And here I am, back again.

How to be an annoying crowd member

I spent another day at the National Gallery of Victoria today as part of my internship within the Fashion and Textiles Department. The NGV was crazy busy, I'd forgotten that not only is it school holidays, but the Art Deco exhibition from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London just opened a couple of weeks ago. The result? mammoth lines and mayhem.

After I finished up my work with the curators, lovely Dani let me into the exhibition for free on her security pass. There really was some great stuff on display - anyone with any interest in history, design, furniture, fashion, painting, ceramics or textiles would have a field day.

But the downside of attending the exhibition at such a busy time was being reminded how rude and annoying people can be, especially when they're huddled together in swarms moving around the room from piece to piece.

My first pet peeve in the initial busy room was an inability to get close enough to any of the pieces to actually read what they were. Every time an opening was created a little old woman would step in and fill the space. And not wanting to hip and shoulder a senior citizen out of the way, I was left piecing together the sentences over heads and under arms.

In the next room, I encountered more consciously annoying people. Well, mainly one woman really. There I would be, standing by myself in front of an image or cabinet. Plenty of room around me, plenty of space to stand. But no, not once, not twice, but repeatedly, this woman would come and wedge herself directly in front of me, between myself and the artwork. Necessary? I think not. Rude? mmmyes. Bad gallery etiquette? Uh, hell yeah!

Another- actually rather amusing- characteristic of the annoying gallery attendee? Discussing art as though one possesses very little brains at all. Now I don't pretend that I know very much at all about art or ceramics or furniture or the Art Deco period in general, but really....

Direct Quote: "Ohhhh look honey, look at that chair! Oh I love how they've put the legs and the chair like that! OOOH and it's pink!! Perfect for me!"

The final straw was in the last room when I moved to the next dress along the wall only to step into a big, smelly cloud of gas. That extra little cherry of class and sophistication on top of the whole frustrating cake.

Having said all that, I'm not a total bitch, and there were many lovely people there also, who seemed to be genuinely interested and enjoying the exhibition. Which I recommend anyone in Melbourne goes to see.

kiss hug

the dr is in.

feeling a little ruffled

10 most recently played songs on iTunes

1. Love Always Remains - MGMT
2. So Nice So Smart - Kimya Dawson
3. Creator - Santogold
4. Frenchy, I'm Faking - Architecture in Helsinki
5. American Boy - Kanye West feat. Estelle
6. That's Not My Name - The Ting Tings
7. Oxford Comma - Vampire Weekend
8. Youth Alcoholic - Fox N Wolf
9. Weekend Wars - MGMT
10. Antillas - El Guincho
    

take the chap stick, put it on your lips

Come August and I'll be jumping up and down to the sounds of New York indie rock band, Vampire Weekend.


Their recently released self-titled album is about 40 minutes worth of great listening. Their music is fun and infectious, the perfect tunes to put you in a good mood on the early morning, dreary commute to work or study. Stand out tracks include Oxford Comma, A-Punk, Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa and Walcott.


Whenever I think about their upcoming concert, I feel a little bit like this...


AAAAIIIIIIEEEEE!!!!

my new love

well after my recent post drooling over anoraks, what did i snap up on my latest shopping trip? that's correct, a lovely, classic green anorak - the perfect fit, perfect length, perfect colour, perfect style. perhaps a little thin being 100% cotton, but it does make it the perfect transeasonal piece.
it's an early birthday present from my mum ( my bday is in about 3.5 weeks) but i'm trying to weasel it away from her before the big day.... oh ps. it's new from sportsgirl, so i hope it won't turn up all over town within the next week...

It's all about the crop.

next!

in a previous post i extolled the virtues of black cropped leather jackets. while i still think they can somehow manage to make any outfit look stylish and complete, the fact that every second person on the street is wearing one now, owing to the fact that every chain store worth it's salt has at least one style in store, has made them somewhat less desirable. not that i consider myself some uber cool fashionista that only wears the latest fashions, but i can say i'd prefer not to look like every other girl walking down the street.

so i've moved onto my next jacket crush, which has been simmering away for some time in the background... the anorak. but i'm not talking the big clunky raincoat that your elderly aunty may sport on a trek through the bush. i'm talking the sleeker, more stylish anorak of today. kirsten dunst is often seen in them, along with a number of other celebs who manage to pull them off well. evidence below. enjoy

kiss hug

etsy a good place to buy

I've rediscovered etsy.com lately, and I'm loving it! If not for actually buying things, at least for providing plenty of inspiration. For those of you unfamiliar, here are some facts about it. (And yes, I copied them from the website... it's late and I'm lazy).

What is Etsy?

Etsy is an online marketplace for buying & selling all things handmade. Their mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers. Their vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice: Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade. My favourite category of goods by far is the Geekery section. Filled with all things kitsch, quirky and cute, it's a great place to find interesting and creative accessories, stationery and other knick knacks. And it's not expensive either, shipping something overseas won't cost you much at all. Below are some examples of my favourite pieces in the Geekery section. Enjoy. kiss hug