"I think we're lucky we've got a mystery to think about"

On our recent epic bike trip to Warburton we stumbled upon a home built in my all time favourite architectural style: "Crazy Hippie". This place was a work of art, with so many cozy stained glass lit nooks and crannies that one could sit in and pen a folk song or knead a loaf of rustic homemade bread. I immediately wanted to know who lived there so I could move in with them and raise a brood of hippie bebehs... opps, I mean solve the mystery of who had created such a strange and mystical abode.

Luckily, thanks to another strange and mystical place - The Internets - we managed to solve the mystery... meet Boinga Bob!

"Every day in life, you should push your mind a little further"

I might not be ready to push my mind *quite* as far as Bob's... but still... words we can all live by, non?

xx

The Panic in Needle Park (1971)

I know this is an inappropriate response to "a stark portrayal of life among a group of heroin addicts" but hot damn is Al Pacino sexy as fuck in this movie or what...

COMPUTER IS ON FIRE!!!

Al Pacino's incredible hotness aside... I loved this movie. Firstly because I would love any movie that contains this kind of old-school New York footage:

And secondly because it is a damn good film. Depressing and dark as it may be, the incredible performances from Al Pacino and Kitty Winn as the "dope-crossed" leads, and the naturalistic style of filming make for a gripping kind of bleak story telling. Not for everyone though, as I guess a movie about the daily life of two junkies wouldn't be! I'll let my friends on on imdb sum it up...

"It's not a rewarding experience in the typical sense but after spending two hours with miserable heroin addicts, it will make you feel better about your own lifestyle."

"The Panic In Needle Park is a gritty, often uncomfortable 110 mins in the company of lowlifes, pimps, prostitutes and dope addicts."

"Overall, the film is engrossing, and yet has a repulsive quality."

"Definitely one worth watching, unless you are depressed or have an aversion to seeing lengthy shots of half dead people putting dirty needles in their veins."

You have been warned! All of the above aside, I can still recommend The Panic in Needle Park for those want a bleakly beautiful and grittily real cinema verite snapshot of this time and place in the history of New York.

Erm... and for those who want to get their 1970's Al Pacino ON.... ;)

xx

I think I can, I think I can

Started my tin can window garden last night! Mixed the succulents up with a lovely fragrant basil plant in keeping with their kitchen locale... sage and parsley next.

Managed to source all the colourful cans from the Korean grocers just round the corner. The Beast was particularly happy with the sardine ones!

Speaking of the Beast, here is a bonus shot of him chillaxing on the roof when I was leaving for work the other morning...

I'll try and get some more "sneak peeks" of Casa del Pikkujen up after I've tidied the house on the weekend!

xx

Beet it!

I'm definately going to try this. Homemade beetroot cheek tint!!

Recipe found on The Velvet Bird blog. Go have a look... it's worth it for the outfits alone...

Told you! What a stylish lady!!!

Vintage shoppers beware: Vanessa has an etsy shop too. Hide those credit cards :)

xx

Teepee Love

I've been in love with this garden teepee ever since I saw it on the Selby (erm... and maybe a little bit in love with Bill and Fanny too, whoever they might be!)

Also love the red shorts lurking in the back of the shot... he he.

Let's hear it for the Summer of (teepee) Love!

xx

Succulents!

{nadia knows}

{etsy}

{epheriell designs}

{succulent love}

{bohemian bride}

{epheriell designs}

Tips on making your own cute succulent garden (no prizes for guessing what I will be doing this weekend!) here.

xx

First Aid Kit

I can't stop listening to this song. So beautiful.

xx

Summer is here...

Bring on the frocks!

And the picnics!

And the adventures!

And the bikes!

And the the amazingly awesome good times with amazingly awesome friends!

I have a feeling this is going to be a good one...

xx

(All photos taken on our recent 80 KILOMETRE bike trip to Warburton! Old timey photo effects courtesy of The CoffeeShop Blog... download photoshop actions here for free!)

Helga's Folly

As soon as I heard about Helga's crazy over-decorated "anti-hotel" in the hills of Kandy it went straight to the top of my list of places to visit. Luckily Helga's is open for meals for those not rich/ brave enough to spend the night (I think I fall into both those categories!) so I was able to spend an lovely afternoon taking in the chaotic surrounds and visual overload that is Helga's Folly...

For those who can't afford the airfare to Sri Lanka just yet, this website gives you a taste of the Helga experience!

xx

Weligama!

Surf lessons! Buddhist temples! Bathing in the Indian ocean at twilight! Tuk-tuk rides! Tropical rain storms! Cows!

Beautiful!

xx