Black goes with everything.

1. Gripe for the day.
The title of this post was my first boyfriend's motto, almost. And it's one I'd agree with, as black garments make up the bulk of my wardrobe. Black is great, because it's slimming and emo and very Melbourne, and it really DOES go with everything, but it's also very annoying when you're late for work and you can't find your black work cardigan in amongst all the other black in the bureau. I think a palette change is in order.

2. Dogs don't make great lunch dates.
I met my favourite lady friend, Preethi, for burgers on my lunch break today, and she brought her canine companion along. That was all fine, but Bill is a somewhat emotional dog, and he didn't take kindly to being tied up to a post and ABANDONED while we selfishly sat in splendour and comfort to eat our lunch. So, we tried tying him up next to the window so he could see us and know we were safe, but no dice. In the end, Pre stood outside on the footpath, with Bill's leash in one hand and her burger in the other, while I, on the inside of the cafe, popped chips into hers and Bill's mouths at regular intervals. It made for some funny looks from passers-by, let me tell you!









3. Roomy patch pockets on skirts: not just for show!
I went to a housewarming/Grand Final party down the street on Saturday night (I wore a blue and white spotted silk scarf as a subtle show of solidarity with my Geelong bros), and I didn't want to drink much, as I had to work at 6am the next day. So, instead of taking along a shopping bag with my six-pack of beer, I lightened my load by popping a can in each pocket, and a couple of cans in my purse, as illustrated below:


My ruby-red slippers got their first outing on Saturday night, too. If I was to count on my fingers the number of people who said, "Hey, Dorothy! Where's Toto?" to me, I'd have to take my socks off!

Wish upon a star.

I saw the first star come out tonight as I was walking home from the bus stop. I made a wish, like I always do, and I always wish for the same thing. Do you wish on stars?

I'd tell you what I wished for, but it's embarrassing. But I know you want to know, so please don't laugh! I have a huge crush on Olympian Michael Phelps - jug ears, snaggle-teeth and all!

I can hear you laughing!

But I wished for a date with him someday. I think he's just gorgeous.



I have a real, serious post coming soon. Bear with me!

Locked out.

Today is a monumental day in the life of Lily, as it marks the THIRD time I've locked myself out of the house in the past ten days. Today was particularly terrible though, because I'd just gone out of the house to bring the bins in, and the door slammed shut in the wind, leaving me stranded with no mobile phone and no shoes. My housemate wasn't going to be home for at least another five hours, so I just had to wait. And wait. And wait. At least the weather was nice today, despite the wind!

I passed the time by reading the newspaper (which I'd conveniently not brought in this morning) and weeding the garden, as well as having a deep and meaningful conversation with a snail that passed by.

Finally, though, I swallowed my pride and walked around the corner to my ex-boyfriend's house in search of a glass of water, a cup of tea, and a toilet. Ben wasn't home, but his housemate was, and quite cheerfully told me to make myself at home. I must have looked very pathetic - hot, tired, shoeless!

All's well that ends well, but I'm determined to never lock myself out again. I'm getting a spare key made tomorrow and I'm going to hide it somewhere outside my house.

Where's a good hiding spot? What works for you? Does anyone have any good getting-locked-out stories? The best one I've ever heard involves a girl in a dressing-gown trapped on her second-floor balcony, a boy in a bottle-shop around the corner, a romance, and a gorgeous baby girl born 18 months or so later. Bless!

Have a good weekend!
xxxx

Viva Italia!

There may be a couple of people left in the world who don't know that I'll be travelling to Italy (and the UK) this November. I'll be taking a group of teenagers around the peninsula for the first part of my trip, acting as chaperone, tour guide, translator, mum, big sister and general looker-afterer. Then I'm off to London to spend Christmas with my beloved little brother. Come the New Year, I'll be backtracking to Prato (near Florence) to study Renaissance Italy for a month.

It's under two months now until I zoom off, and I'm veryvery excited. I've never been overseas before (unless you count New Zealand, which, let's face it, nobody ever does) and the thought of a 14-hour flight daunts me a little. I hope the ratbags I'm travelling with will be able to settle down so I can sleep! Maybe I should spike their drinks with valerian or something similar to keep them calm?

Anyway, the main point of my post was - can anyone point me in the direction of some Italian fashion blogs/websites? I have a stack of French, Swedish and Finnish blogs in my feed, but nothing from Italy. If they're Florentine blogs, all the better!

Anyone been to Italy? Where are the best places to shop? Do you have a favourite out-of-the-way Roman vintage store?

I'm supposed to be on a very strict budget while I save for my trip, but I saw these little Prada-esque beauties in Kmart and couldn't resist!


What do you think?

These are a few of my favourite things...

In the absence of a REAL blog post, here are some of the things I've been enjoying lately.

Favourite thing #1: Melbourne bands.
In particular, Spider Vomit, Zond, and, as always, Love Of Diagrams. You've unfortunately missed out on seeing Love Of Diagrams for the forseeable future, as they're heading off to the US to record their new album (!!!!!1!!111!!!) and won't be back until November. I have to say, I'm not sure how I feel about the wah in their new songs, but I'm sure I'll get used to it - after all, a couple of years ago I was talking about how I wasn't sure about the vocals in their (then) new songs, and now I love it!

Fact: Spider Vomit are infinitely cooler than you or me. Here is some photographic evidence.


(Photo by Adalita)


(Photo by Ali McCann)


(Photo by Ben Butcher - all photos from Spider Vomit's Myspace)

Zond are playing at Pony on the 3rd of October - make sure you get along! I've been assured that Sober Marney will be in attendance this time (she was woefully absent last time I saw Zond play..)!

Favourite thing #2: Aldi's Oat Temptations.
These are fantastic. Little single-serve sachets of flavoured porridge. Sure, they're probably bad for me and they're definitely full of loads of artificial colours and flavours, but they're the best thing to chuck in my bag and take to work with me for my second breakfast!

Favourite thing #3: Rubi flats from Cotton On.
Thank you, Robyn! I'd been searching for a replacement pair of red flats for almost a year now, and these were the exact shade of red I was looking for. Plus.. you can get two pairs for $20 (baaaaaargain!), and they come in all colours of the rainbow.

Favourite thing #4: my friends.
They know why. Thanks to Tom, Ben, Lisa, Simone, Roxanne, Martin, Kate, Henry, Rach, Dean, Pip, Lisa, and countless others for loving me, making me laugh, mopping up my tears, buying me beers and hot chocolates, showing me shiny things on the internet, keeping me occupied and distracted, writing me songs, having me over for dinner (even though I had to cook AND wash up..), holding my hand while crossing the road, and generally being awesome. Much luff to you all.

(all together now.. awwwwww!)