Thought for the day....

Salvadore Dali once said

Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing.

Strong words to consider today, after seeing some Dali work and various other modern artists at the Auckland City Art Gallery this weekend at the  Degas to Dali exhibition (on loan from the National Gallery of Scotland). It was a pricey entrance fee but worth it - wonderful to see contemporaries of each art movement in the same room together rather than just one artist alone. Inspiring to see people who were often working together and producing there own ideas within an art movement. For example the spider below, with the obvious influence of Miro, Calder makes it his own, turning an image into a sculpture then having it move, slowly spinning in mid air. very cool. 

Alexander Calder, The Spider, c1935-c1937, Metal, painted

Joan Miró, Peinture [Painting], 1925, Oil and black chalk on canvas

A few more of my  favourite works

Roy Lichtenstein, In the Car, 1963, Oil and magna on canvas

Jacques Lipchitz, Figure assise [Seated Figure], 1916, Bronze (1/7)

Vincent van Gogh, Olive Trees, 1889, Oil on canvas

Heaven knows I'm miserable now...

Time to share one of my new favourite songs 'Heaven knows I'm miserable now' by The Smiths. I love how the sound is uplifting but the lyrics are quite depressing, its such a contradiction. I spent my youth never liking The Smiths much because I thought they were depressing, now I find it uplifting and humorous, maybe its because my view on life is a lot more positive. The lyrics are just so true. love it. Morrissey is such a legend and he has quite a  nice quiff in this video.  According to my husband the guitar part is extremely difficult and complicated to play, probably why it sounds so good. Thanks dear husband for bringing The Smiths into my life again.


I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour
But heaven knows I'm miserable now
I was looking for a job, and then I found a job
And heaven knows I'm miserable now
In my life
Why do I give valuable time
To people who don't care if I live or die ?
Two lovers entwined pass me by
And heaven knows I'm miserable now
I was looking for a job, and then I found a job
And heaven knows I'm miserable now
In my life
Oh, why do I give valuable time
To people who don't care if I live or die ?
What she asked of me at the end of the day
Caligula would have blushed
"You've been in the house too long" she said
And I (naturally) fled
In my life
Why do I smile
At people who I'd much rather kick in the eye ?
I was happy in the haze of a drunken hour
But heaven knows I'm miserable now
"You've been in the house too long" she said
And I (naturally) fled
In my life
Why do I give valuable time
To people who don't care if I live or die ?

Take me to the River

Today I just wanted to share with you all the special place that is my parents holiday house.  It is in a place called Turangi ( south side of  Lake Taupo) and is a rentable house within the Tongariro Lodge.  What makes it special is it is right on the Tongariro river, with the most beautiful view at sunset.   The air is always crisp, the views always magical. Nothing but the sounds of Tuis and the river, brings a kind of peace.  When you live in a city, you forget how wonderful the sound of nature is.

The House

We were lucky enough to stay for a week this time, although the 5 hour drive from Auckland is tough with a toddler, it was well worth it.  On our last night we had dinner from the lodge (gourmet dining!) brought to the house and we ate on the deck while watching the sun go down (photos further down!). Heaven.

The Mighty Tongariro River - great trout fishing!

My Dad is a trout fishing addict, he loves being able to walk out the front door, go across the grass and step into the river. For him it doesn't get much better than that.

pretty fields of purple wild flowers

The Turangi bridge is just a short stroll up the river from our place, and leads to the town which do great fish n chips, you can even a get a deep fried mars bar (although I wouldn't recommend it!)

more wild flowers

My little one with room to run!

Ah the sunset look at those colours.

Breathtakingly beautiful!

I hope you all have somewhere beautiful to go to when you feel like a break from real life!

x

A New Year 2012

So I have been a bit preoccupied with Christmas and New Year (had a fantastic weekend in Sydney, got my Target and Ikea fix!) and so haven't had time to blog.  But here I am now finally getting to it, it will be short and sweet today as I have just spent two hours drooling over beautiful imagery on Pinterest, which if your not on there you should check it out.  As a hairdresser I am a very visual person so this forum thrills me beyond belief! It's like an edited version of google image search. Love it. check out my link on the right to see my pin boards so far. I have been searching for inspiration for tiling my bathroom, alas so far I can only find the tiles I like in the UK. Aren't these amazing???

and I just like the colour of this bathroom, I would happily sit in there for hours.

As for New Years Resolutions?? I don't usually make them as they tend to only last a day or so and then I am back to my old ways. (the usual lose weight one...blah blah blah)  I think this year I am going to give our house a bit of attention, making it reflect the style I love a bit more. Vintage, creative, colourful, shabby chic. Goals for the year - make some cushion covers, do more craft and learn more craft, and sell some things I have made at a market stall!oh and try to spend a bit more time with my husband x x

I will leave you with some inspiration from Princess Lasertron's advent month - I really wanted to participate but just didn't find the time on a daily basis, maybe next year.  They are words to live by. Happy New Year.xx

This too shall pass

I just found out a few days ago that a close acquaintance (that is, a friend I don't know so well, but wish i knew better) is currently battling Breast Cancer. She is a wife, mother and career woman and I can imagine it's all very frightening.  It has touched me on a personal level, having been there for my husband during a short battle with Hodgkins Lymphoma 9 years ago, (which he won by the way) it was 6 months we seem to forget that went by in a blur of drugs and side effects, and robbed us of our honeymoon period right at the beginning of our relationship (we had been dating only a couple of months). We came out the other side though, stronger for it and we were very lucky.
Its funny how when these things happen it makes you reflect on yourself, those little kicks up the ass, to remind you to take nothing for granted and be thankful for the good health, the beautiful children, the wonderful home, the secure jobs , the food on the table and the comfortable life - while you have it.  God bless to all out there going through the hard times, whatever they may be.