Follow the yellow brick road

Do you know that it has been 70 years since these four friends walked down the yellow brick road? Growing up in Singapore, The Wizard of Oz was traditionally shown every Christmas Day. Year after year I watched it faithfully, mesmerised by Dorothy's journey to the Emerald City and of course, her ruby red shoes. How I wished I had a pair just like hers that could take me to wherever my heart desires simply by clicking the heels three times!

This weekend, the plan is to revisit the film and walk down the yellow brick road with Dorothy, Toto, tinman, the lion and the scarecrow; all from the comfort of my own couch. After all, there's no place like home...right?

What are you doing this weekend?
Wizard of Oz Dorothy and Toto Emerald City 70 years Ruby Red shoes

Tagged!

I got tagged by the very talented MaPetiteAmy today. The rules of the game is to post the fourth picture in the fourth folder on my computer and write about it (how fun!). Oh, and you pass the tag along to others.

This is me taking a picture of myself in the bathroom one afternoon last year. The intention was to create a picture nice enough for my Facebook profile page. The finger on my dimple was my silly attempt to look cute. Of course I ended up looking like a dork (and a very vain one at that!).

I tag Squiggle, Music, blogartists, and lyndseywiley.
tagged 4th photo

facebook dork

Today's Happy Five

• I'm having a great hair day!
• I found 4 little chillis on my chilli plant.
• I had a yummy little raspberry friand for breakfast.
• I cleverly managed not to stain my clothes while slurping down spagbog for lunch.
• I start teaching again tonight (and teaching is the one job I absolutely love)
  

Happy Five is a little game that involves listing 5 small joys that you appreciate each day. It can be something as trivial as finding a perfect parking space, or something as exciting as discovering the cure for cancer. This exercise promises to fill you with positive and happy thoughts, so it could become regular feature on this blog, I think.

Try it! What are your Happy Fives?

Time for tea

One of my favourite things to do is to have a cup of tea first thing on a cold, cold morning. With the curtains still drawn and tiny rays of light peeping in, I sip my tea while waiting patiently for my body to rouse itelf out of sleep.

These days though, it's too hot for tea in Sydney. These pictures just make me wish the weather was a bit cooler, the air a bit more chilly so I can sit down and enjoy my favourite cup of tea. Do you drink tea?

Images from here.

tea time

Lucky ladybirds

Today, I got an insight into why ladybirds are lucky. Apparently, ladybirds can make love for 9 hours straight, experiencing several orgasms, each lasting up to 30 minutes. They are also a promiscuous bunch, going through an average of 30 different sex partners per year.

Pretty crazy huh? And it certainly gives new meaning to the term "lucky"! To read more about the sex life of these naughty insects, click here.
lucky ladybirds

Love is...

the first hint of how beautiful life can actually be. Be it the warmth that you feel or the quickening pulse of your heart, love is the inspiration for the mind.Last night, Stu revealed to me what he calls his "deepest, darkest secret". It really wasn't that dark or terrible but he obviously feels very strongly about it so I'm not about to share. What I'll share though, is this: I believe I have found my soulmate in Stu and that is the sweetest feeling in the world.

Am I mushy or what? Happy Monday!
love soulmates

Things that make my day

Having a good sleepfinding the perfect dressand shoes to matchPictures by Philip Newton

Most days, I find it's really the little things that count- do you agree, or am I just too easy to please? What makes your day?

sleep perfect dress shoesPhilip Newton

Different shades of white

Just to name a few: there's bright white, soft white, off-white, milk white, winter white and eggshell white. Today, I'm exploring the different shades of white, looking at all things white and beautiful, pure and soft.white pleated skirt photographed by Philip Newton, a very white room from here, Chanel's white runway for the 2009 spring and summer collection from here and the cutest little white dog that makes my heart melt.

shades of white Chanel Runway 2009 Philip Newton

A pleasant surprise

I received this beautiful award from juanitatortilla today- thanks!

This blog invests and believes in PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. Check up on these writers!The rules are: This blog award should be sent to your favorite eight bloggers and they, in turn should forward to eight of their favorites. You should include the text for Proximidade (above) in your announcement blog.

I would like to give this award to: The Cherry Blossom Girl, Thy Lady's Fond Memoirs, Button and Squiggle, Mapetiteamy, My Funny Eye, Absolutely Beautiful Things, Luphia Loves and This is Glamourous.

Proximidade Award

Bye for today

Sneaking in my 3rd post for the day. (Yes, 3rd. I know, I'm making up for lost time from last week!) I think this is an amazing photo by Tim Walker. His work is quirky, bizarre but strangely beautiful. This photo literally took my breath away. I have added his picture books to my wishlist for the year.

Ok, that's all for today. See you tomorrow!
Tim Walker photography

Zoe Kazan

Now who's this girl?This was the question I kept asking myself while watching Revolutionary Road last night. Amidst all the drama in the narrative, I found myself wondering about this little known actress who played Leonardo's little fling. I didn't recognise her from anywhere, but there was something really striking about her. Maybe it was her dark hair paired with the bluest eyes, or her cute little chubby cheeks that makes her beauty all the more endearing.

Well, everyone, she is Zoe Kazan, touted to be the latest IT girl and I reckon, someone to watch out for!

Studio photos by Carrie Schechter

Zoe Kazan IT girl Revolutionary Road

Retro plates

I've been in the mood for all things retro these days. So, imagine my delight when I came across these cute little retro plates by Christopher Vine Design. Aren't they just so darn cute?
retro plates Christopher Vine Design

Hearts on our sleeves

Yes. Valentine's Day is over but my self-declared month of love isn't yet! Today, I think we should all wear our hearts on our sleeves. Any why stop there? Why not wear them on our feet, our body and around our neck?

Luella's heart bracelets via here

Wear hearts and forget everything: a set from here.

wear hearts Luella

Love Natually Challenge

The verdict's out for Wethepaper's Love Naturally Challenge for Valentine's Day. Though I didn't win this challenge, one of my entries "Fruits of Love" did get a honourable mention - a real honour indeed!
Find out who the winners are and read more about wethepaper here.
valentine cards craft WeThePaper

The Olive and The Grape

In the 5th century BC the Ancient Greek historian, Thucydides, wrote “The peoples of the Mediterranean began to emerge from barbarism when they learnt to cultivate the olive and the grape”. Not wanting to be accused of being barbaric, Stu and I found ourselves in the beautiful Hunter Valley vineyards on the weekend, where we paid homage to the olive and the grape.

We started the day picking these beautiful sweet Shiraz grapes and tasting them straight from the vines, this was followed by an olive oil tasting session. We then learned to make pasta from scratch, and even had the immense pleasure of eating our very own homemade pasta, coupled with fine wine, all the while enjoying the view of the vineyards. Now, that's a weekend that is hard to beat!

Making our own agnolotti and fettuccini

And then eating it...simply divine!

Pasta cooking classes are available at the Hunter Valley every weekend, at The Olive and the Grape, book your class now!

Fresh pasta cook The Olive and The Grape Hunter Valley Weekend away olive oil

I Heart balloons

What do I love more than balloons? Heart balloons, of course! These sent my heart soaring.I will be away the rest of the week (doctor's order + a pre-booked weekend trip for some much-needed R&R up at the Hunter Valley).

So, whether you're single or attached, regardless of how much or how little you're doing this weekend, have Happy Valentine's Day!

love heart balloons Happy Valentine's Day

Le Love

The month of love cannot go past without a special mention to one of my favourite blogs, Le Love, which is all about (you guessed it!) love. Everyday, a new post goes up with a picture of people madly in love with each other. I visit this blog for my daily dose of love. Maybe you should too.

Today, I'm happy- all the things that were bothering me before now seem trivial and mundane. It is truly a great feeling.

Have a great day!

love people in love Le Love pictures

Mr and Mrs Right

How's your Monday going?

Mine started with horrific news of the bushfires that has taken so many lives in Victoria- sad, sad business. It was then followed by a 3 hour evacuation at work due to a hazardous chemical spill. We had the fire brigade, police and the bomb squad over. Just lovely, isn't it? But then I remind myself that the full moon is out and things are bound to get a little bit crazy.

So, how about these magnet duo? Pretty hilarious aren't they? They're funny because it's so true. I think it's important to start the week off with a little laugh, even in the looniest of times. So laugh, people and enjoy your day.

love fridge magnet laugh full moon

Hold my hand

Yesterday's dark cloud has past and I'm beginning to see light again in the issues that were bothering me before.

Chancing upon these gloves just made my day, leaving me feeling warm and fuzzy again. In spite of the heatwave, I wish I had a pair to wear.

I can't knit, but if you can, the pattern is right here. Make one for yourself (and me?).

love hold hands gloves knit Cocoknits

Looking for love

If you are looking for love, you may just find it here.I am having a bad day and feeling somewhat down, but these pictures made me smile. So I've decided to spread the cheer.

Fine Art Photography by Irene Suchocki, I think they're amazing!

love Valentine's Day fine art photography Irene Suchocki

Once upon a dream

In the magical world of Disney, love triumphs evil. A valiant prince slays a dragon to wake his princess from a thousand year sleep. A princess, so gentle, she sings with the birds about her dreams for love. The power of a true love's kiss so strong, it is enough to break the nastiest of spells.

If you're a hopeless romantic like me (and a sucker for happy endings), you'll probably be just as delighted as I am to see these celebrity disney photos that captures the magic of our favourite Disney characters.

Scarlett leaves her glass slipper behind, in Cinderella.

Beckham, as Prince Philip, fights a fire breathing dragon in Sleeping Beauty.Rachel Weisz, sings with the birds and animals in Snow White.

Aren't they amazing? These photos are from Annie Leibovitz's Disney Dream Portrait Series, an advertisement campaign from Disney itself. Click here for more.

love disney dream series Annie Leibovitz Snow White Sleeping Beauty Cinderella Prince Philip David Beckham Scarlett Johansson Rachel Weisz

Living on love

Now, wouldn't you like to live here?On this island, flowers bloom and birds fly. Everyone is happy, warm and nice. Crying is not allowed and nobody shouts or talks too loud.

Ok, I just made all that up. but isn't it a wonderful idea though?

This heart island is Galesnjak, just south of Zadar in Croatia. For more gigantic hearts from above, visit here.

love heart island Galesnjak Croatia

Month of love

Happy Monday!

February is the month of love. There, I said it, therefore it must be true, right? With Valentine's Day right round the corner, I can't help but feel lovey dovey and oh so sentimental (yes, I'm a sucker for invented holidays!) So I've decided. This month's posts will be dedicated mainly to love, romance and all things nice. Watch this space!

Picture by Sally Piskuric.
love Valentine's Day February month of love