An Easter Message

Happy Easter! A time of year synonymous with Christ’s resurrection, rebirth, and the new life of spring is also the perfect time for some healthy introspection and reflection; a time to put aside the past and look to the future.

Inspired by the work of Alphonse Mucha – with its profusion of florals, decorative swirls, flowing velvet draperies and cheerful polka dots – this Easter picture celebrates this hope of new life in shades of pink, rosy like spring flowers and the dawn. Pink ostrich feathers give a cheeky nod to that other important personage, the Easter Bunny.

In Melbourne it is actually autumn, the time the earth prepares to rest for winter. For myself, it has been a sad time mourning the loss of my beloved little pussycat Hero.

Funnily, I’ve been comforted by the presence of two turtledoves that seemed to have adopted me. Hero was their declared enemy, but this morning I was pleased to watch them cuddling on my front steps, tail feathers overlapping, as though they were guarding my door (after gobbling up all the birdseed of course). No phoenix rising from the ashes, but comforting nonetheless. Where there’s life, there’s hope.

Stop, In the Name of Summer!

Stop the world, I want to get off while it’s still summertime. I most emphatically reject thee, Autumn, get thee gone!

I feel really bad about that, because after all, autumn is my favourite season, but let’s be reasonable, could anyone agree that Melbourne has had quite enough of summer this year? I haven’t even had a chance to wear all my summer clothes yet! Nor have I been to the beach, shockingly. Thank goodness I have a week in Noosa to look forward to at the end of the month.

Of course, we all know that blithe spirit of summer drags her feet all March, so if the evil meteorologists can be disbelieved as usual, and we all – in a fairdinkum spirit of solidarity – get together and defy this miserable forecast for the week ahead, summer will come back for an encore. Just keep cheering and stamping your feet folks. 

The Queen of Hearts

The Queen of Hearts she made some tarts all on a summer's day;
The Knave of Hearts he stole the tarts and took them clean away.
The King of Hearts called for the tarts and beat the Knave
full sore
The Knave of Hearts brought back the tarts and vowed
he'd steal no more.

This little poem was popularised by Lewis Carroll in 1865 when he inserted it in Alice in Wonderland. However, its origins go back much further to 1782, to a poem anonymously published in The European Magazine. There were three other stanzas, which have since fallen into obscurity: The King of Spades, The King of Clubs, and The Diamond King, describing the romantic entanglements of all three suits. Flirting, marital discord and seduction are the themes. [Wikipedia]

What I find most fascinating about this history is that once upon a time I myself wrote a poem titled The Queen of Tarts – The Tale of How the Deck Was Born, taking a very similar theme. The Queen of Hearts is a real flirt, dating all the Kings and Knaves one after another, thus alienating (not surprisingly) all the other Queens. I stuffed the poem with as many puns as I could think of. Here are some of my favourite lines:

… Of these, the Queen of Spades was most vocal
(She never frequented the local,
Nor ever missed a curfew –
She was a pattern-card of virtue.)
“You’re just jealous coz he thought I was cuter!”
The Queen of Hearts referred to her latest suitor.
The Queen of Spades’ mood grew black,
(She couldn’t take the flack,
And was put to the blush –
A brightly royal flush!)
She drew the Knave of Clubs to her side,
“He at least agrees with me!” she cried.
“Oh – that jackanapes,
It’s only sour grapes,”
Yawned the Queen of Tarts,
Nibbling on some cherry hearts …

So’s anyone been nibbling on some hearts today? I only wolfed down an indescribably delicious strawberry tart myself, but I hope you’ve had a sweet Valentine’s Day. Kisses!

Dress by Maeve for Anthropologie, vintage cloak and tiara; strawberry tart from French Fantasies
Backdrop, Palácio Nacional de Sintra

National Barbecue Day

I racked my brain for an idea for a story to celebrate Australia Day today. I googled ‘Australia Day’ and saw lots of horrible photos of people either draped in flags or bearing flag-painted faces. Not SNAP-like, I decided.

What do Aussies do on Australia Day? I asked myself. The answer was simple: they have a barbecue. I was in fact heading out to Frankie’s in Canterbury for a backyard cookout. In yesteryear we chucked a snag (a sausage) on the barbie; today we are more likely to be a little more fancy, a bit of marinated goat or ’roo (shrimp’s a bit dated) and maybe a veggie burger or two for the veggos.

But despite all our new-fangled culinary ways, I decided nothing would be more fitting than to pose for you vintage style with the good ol’ snag in a slice of white bread with tomato sauce – and a beer of course. (Note the Hills Hoist clothesline and Frankie’s Flymo lawnmower in the background.)

Hope you all had a lovely Australia Day, didn’t get sunburned and didn’t mix your drinks – because after all, it’s a school night.

Check out a couple more piccies in the Out-takes & Extras gallery.
* Many thanks to Lulue for taking the photos. 

The Good Luck Girl

Inspired by my vintage Chinese advertising poster of the Club Cosmetics girl, I bring you the Good Luck Girl. For how else to celebrate Chinese New Year than all decked out in red?

In the Chinese culture, red corresponds to fire, and symbolises good fortune and joy. And, according to Wikipedia, courage, loyalty, honour, success, passion, fertility and summer. No wonder brides traditionally wear red.

And in this Year of the Water Dragon, aptly my red jade bangle is carved with a dragon, goldfish and lotus blossoms. The ring is also red jade, carved with swirls and curlicues. My necklace is an oriental fan, carved from cinnabar, and my gloriously red paper umbrella was bought at last year’s Chinese New Year festival for just $2. The silk dress is an old favourite, by Pepe Jeans.

Good fortune and joy, from your favourite Good Luck Girl!