within without

Ro and I will be heading down to Canberra for New Years to celebrate with my family.  There are a few things I enjoy doing when i'm down there, and one of my favourites is visiting the National Gallery of Australia. A friend recommended we check out James Turrell's Within Without, a complex skyscape viewing chamber which affects the way we perceive the sky. 

Viewing is recommended at either dawn or dusk to witness the light at its most dramatic. "In asking us to take the time to notice these subtleties, Turrell reveals the immensity of the natural world and the beauty of celestial architecture."

Have a look at the video from ABC's Art Nation show or find out more here.

Industrie

Rohan picked up the second issue of U.S. magazine Industrie last week, an in-depth look at the real movers and shakers in fashion. This issue has an amazing interview with art director Fabien Baron, an interesting article about Dior's perfume development and an 18 page Rodarte special. 

I can't get enough of Rodarte lately, I love that they are inspired by where they grew up in Santa Cruz, never reference other fashion designers and always make garments the best they possibly can be without the the pressure of commercial appeal. They also chat briefly about designing the costumes for Black Swan which I can't wait to see when it comes out here in January. 

Wishing you all a happy holiday!

x

1 & 2 Industrie magazine, 3 & 4 Rodarte sketches for Black Swan

somewhere

I'm hoping to finally see Sofia Coppola's new film next week. I read the cutest interview with Elle Fanning in the new Lula magazine and I keep hearing the most amazing reviews. I have been anticipating a new Sofia movie for a while now and this sounds like it won't disappoint. 

1. Sofia's inspiration board for the film, 2. Elle Fanning on set

floating house

I love this floating wooden house in the Ukraine, I don't know who designed it but it's rumoured that it's an old bunker for mineral fertiliser. I like the idea of living in an isolated wooden house in the middle of the countryside. 

gifts given/received

I can't believe that it's Christmas again next week! I'm sure most of you have finished your present shopping, but if like us you like to leave a few things to the last minute, here are a few ideas for you...

Vintage owl salt and pepper shakers

These were a gift from Rohan for finishing off my first year of Tafe. They are from the Antique Centre in Surry Hills. 

Little cups and saucers

These lovelies were a gift from our friend Mel. 

Yoshitomo Nara, Oh! My god! I miss you! postcard set

I have bought these for a few of my friends, he is one of my favourite artists and these postcards are just so cute. 

Penguin Great Loves and Great Journeys series

These are always fun to give as gifts, each series offers a great collection of short stories from prominent authors and the cover artwork is lovely too. My favourite Great Love is Bonjour Tristesse by Francoise Sagan and Rohan likes the Great Journeys book The Customs of the Kingdoms of India by Marco Polo. 

Knitted doughnuts 

I got these for Christmas one year, I think they were from Peter Alexander, but you could knit your own!

Laduree perfume

My mum got this for me in Paris, it leaves me smelling like a yummy Laduree macaroon and has its own atomiser attachment. 

Spike the hedgehog

This little guy is a gift from Rohan. I love hedgehogs, and even though he is so soft and fluffy I named him Spike.

Framed butterfly

This was a surprise gift from Rohan last year, it's from the French store Deyrolle. 

Pretty chocolates

These were another gift from mum's travels, I haven't been able to open them though because they are just too cute!

Ice cream canvas

Rohan is an extraordinary gift-giver, I don't even think there was an occasion for this one, I just came home to find this hand painted canvas on my coffee table. Sweet!

in my house

These are a few of my favourite photos I have taken around my house, I particularly love taking photos of flowers! The first photo was taken last weekend in my living room, it's a bunch of flowers given to us by two women who had just been at a wedding whom we shared a taxi home with. 

The second is from 2009, I came home from work to find a bunch of beautiful lilacs next to the new issue of Lula magazine and a love note from Rohan.

The last photo I took is of our shared desk when we had just moved in to our new place in January, after living in a studio together for over a year, this was a dream come true!

onwards and upwards

georgia

Georgia Jagger for UK Vogue January 11. 

William Eggleston

I love these images by American photographer William Eggleston, particularly the striking colour and his ability to find beauty in the ordinary.