Fraction of the Whole

The pleasures of the young

2011-02-17T21:33:00.000+11:00

Childhood is about indulgence and restriction. How we all chafed at the unfair disadvantage our elders held over us, their sheer size oppressing our readily anachronistic tendencies. Who doesn't have a fond memory of slyly eating the delicious foods we were so sternly warned away from (I was a milo eater), or using forbidden items like the "Good" scissors to cut paper! The endless trail of paper scraps, bits of string and blobs of paint which littered my wake drove my parents mad.

Victoria Mason's sweet little series of jewelery taps into our collective nostalgia like so. I am the proud owner of a rather fetching, and very reasonably priced nice (the biscuit) ring. Which isn't to say I couldn't be tempted to such adorably sweet nothings as her teacup earrings.

Delightful, no?

I have also been chasing information on Catherine Popesco, a French designer who excels in recreating vintage jewelery by using original molds and stampings. I may be a little smitten.

Also with these babies

Ahhhh and let's not forget these.

It may be safe to say I'm going through a blue renaissance. Although not exactly cheap, if you can track them down in Australia you're looking at between $100-$200 per pair which in terms of longevity isn't too much of a stretch.

Jewelery delights

2011-02-16T21:02:00.001+11:00

I'm not hugely into jewelery, but sometimes a little something wanders past that I can't help but wish to possess. My interest was piqued a few years ago when I bought my lovely silver necklace, which is rather endearing called "The Big Cheese". Made by Melbourne designer Edward Janssen

Some rather callous siblings of mine went on to question, why, if it is called "The Big" cheese, was it indeed so very small. Regardless of size, it has brought me much joy over the years, and they do say you should keep what is dearest to you closest to your heart. Please, if anyone has an opportunity seek out delice de bourgogne; triple cream french cheeses are your friend.

Now a colleague has brought Zoemou to my attention. Blissfully unaware of my art deco obsession I am now hopelessly lusting after the entire "Tomorrow Yesterdays" collection. In particular, a rather fine pair of gold and azure earrings. As below.

Sweet gravy on a snake! I would be like an Egyptian goddess of really nice things if I could afford these babies.

Tea cups

2011-02-11T20:42:00.000+11:00

As a drinker of tea I will admit to having a rather outrageous cup fetish. There is a mish-mash of crockery hidden away in my cupboards, and little enough room for it all. However, as I am a raging addict, the insidious nature of my affliction pulls me back time and again - despite the protest of my groaning cupboards.

Let me share a little of my mania, if I may?
Rob Brandt is a designer from the Netherlands and I currently possess these crumple cups, which he is responsible for- and what fine specimens they are!

But, you see, then I became aware of these.

Although my interest is most likely fostered by a childhood of family holidays involving camping, I do confess I would readily throw away some of my op shop mugs - including the horrible baby mug (which is exactly what it sounds like) - in favour of these sophisticated parcels of porcelain.

But I digress, perhaps now would be a good time to talk about some other accessories, like this porcelain milk jug which is delightfully shaped like a little milk carton. Somewhat reminiscent of the "Fred" glass milk jug below

I am ever the sucker for a gimmick....

Speaking of gimmicks, I've brought several of these moustache mugs as gifts for people, because, lets face it - you can't get much classier that that. Unless you have a monocle, did I mention I have a monacle. because I do. I don't own a top hat, but we all have to strive for something.

This is pretty much what I'll look like when I'm done.

The Useless things in life

2011-02-09T23:26:00.000+11:00

What's up pal?

Bemoaning the fact that you don't have a giant cob of corn to sit upon and while away the hours? Jealous of all your nifty friends and their inexplicably large collections of corn related paraphernalia? Tired of making excuses for why you don't possess any corn?

Well mope no longer! For one easy payment $110AUD you can have you very own, genuine, garden variety giant piece of corn.

I don't believe I've ever seen a happier man.

Bookclub mark 1

2011-02-09T08:21:00.000+11:00

Book club has begun and I am pleased to say our first title is one that has piqued my interest in the past.

"Major Pettigrew's last stand" by Helen Simonson looks to be a gentle read along the lines of Alexander McCall Smith's, No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency which is the book equivalent to sitting down for a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. That is to say relaxing, interesting, but not overly taxing for the reader. Currently I am 3 pages in - so far so good - let it be said the front cover is delightfully illustrated like so.

Although, not perhaps indicative of what kind of pleasure awaits the reader - we shall see Major Pettigrew, we shall see.

Fink Jugs

2011-02-07T22:06:00.000+11:00

Can I make a terrible confession? Although to an extent I abhor the waste and consumerism that plagues our society, I am hopelessly, desperately and not so secretly in love with many designer items.

One of my current lusts is this jug by Fink and co. Look at it's luminescent blue deliciousness, gaze at that gorgeous azure finish and tremble in wonder at it's mighty design. Sleek, chic and bloody expensive - there is little chance of me ever buying one, but I won't let this prevent me from dreaming of sophisticated gatsbyesque dinner parties involving my delightful blue jug. Don't tell my good old faithful Stelton.

I think he suspects.

He's not exactly budget brand either, but I must confess, rather than buy him new -due to my crippling cheapness I did in fact purchase him off ebay for well below the rrp - but I put it to you dear reader; could you have resisted his lure? I swear I could not.

The Drawing Doesn't Matter

2011-02-06T17:54:00.000+11:00

Funny, insightful and at times bizarre. Check out The Drawing Doesn't Matter, it makes me giggle, it also makes me wish I knew more about science. I'm sure if I did this would leave me rolling on the floor.

I like to consider myself a pseudo scientist, I like many science related things, like taxidermy, strange bottles of liquids with faded labels and fabricated facts. I talk of many things, many completely made up things. The trick is to sound like you know what the hell you're on about, the other trick is to ensure your audience is more ignorant than yourself.

Personally I blame all this on my thirteen year old self discovering Zork Nemesis. Who doesn't love a good old fashioned adventure/whodunnit? Filled with asylums, loose women and crazed men seeking vengeance. Although perhaps the whole vengeance thing can more accurately be laid at the door of "Phantom of the Opera", lest we forget Sarah "Pigface" Brightman.

Oh Pigface, you only ever did have one expression.

The New Pornographers

2011-02-06T01:07:00.000+11:00

I had the happy chance of seeing this fantastic group of Canadians at the Hi-Fi bar about a month back. If folk-pop floats your boat you are in for one hell of a treat, touted as an Indie rock super group they deliver with style and flair. As my music nerdiness trends more towards Opera I won't bore you with a history lesson, merely treat you to a taste of them through the following youtube clip. Enjoy.

Reading for reading's sake

2011-02-05T22:48:00.000+11:00

Soon to co-ordinate a book club, I thought this would be a great opportunity to dip my toes in the water of blogs. It seems a happy chance to express my thoughts on literature like so many before me, and rather a good excuse to revel in the delight of people, places and things.

I am currently absorbed in "An Introduction to Language", a textbook of sorts - don't be fooled by this boring concept - aside from having a particularly snazzy cover this reads enjoyably well - exploring plenty of basic theories and information about English grammar. Although best reserved for those of us who are fascinated with linguistics and perhaps neurology.

If this is your drug of choice you may wish to read about about some very fascinating cases in "The Man Who mistook His Wife for a Hat" by Oliver Sacks. Brilliant, insightful and sometimes painful, Sacks introduces readers to some of his most fascinating case studies about neurological impairment.