California Design - Living in the Modern Way

I have been looking forward to seeing this exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery. From previous exhibition experience I know that the 'Up Late' programs are a great way to enjoy the atmosphere.

We were not disappointed. We started the night with drinks and a groovy DJ actually playing vinyl records of 50's and 60's music.

The 30 minute lecture was fun and entertaining - talking about design. So important to our every day life.

Loved the retro look of this map

I love everything about this

Would love this to relax in

Great design

Would love to work at this desk

Cool

Fun coat hooks

Reminds me of the Jetsons

And there there was the fashion:

And of course the car:

And don't forget the music:

Loving Chet Baker

We ate hamburgers and after went to Rosalie for gelato - fun evening.

Eiffel Tower In Sydney

Last week I stayed at my friend Julie's apartment in Sydney. Julie went on a cruise and I enjoyed her apartment right off Martin Place and looked after 'Tragedy' the cat.

This was my view from the windows.

Wasn't expecting this

I have no idea which building it is on.

This view from the ferry at King St Darling Harbour

Was hoping it would be lit up at night - NO

What a shame it is not lit up at night….

Tragedy

The main reason I was there. She is about 15 years old and cranky. Typical old cat. She was nice to me at dinner time and then avoided me until she saw me packing to leave.

Festive Dressing

My first Christmas Party for 2013 last night. I bought a new black fabric evening handbag in Tokyo exactly the same shape as one I bought in Singapore in about 1998.

I added red cherries to give it a festive look.

This shape works well for me

This can hold my money, car keys, glasses, phone etc. Little evening bags are not suitable for me. Also hands free with the long handle - excellent for a party.

Loving the cherries

Fleur-de-lis

I have always loved the image of the Fleur-de-lis. Called the 'Heraldic Lily' it is the symbol of the the Royal Arms of France.

I have over the years collected photo's and 'things' with this image. Even before I found out that it is one of the symbols our our 'Robbins Family's' coat of arms.

Today I found my 3rd glass storage jar with this symbol. I always find them in thrift shops.

$4.50 - bargain

I have no idea what came in these jars originally and would love to know. The one on the left I found with no lid but bought it anyway and found that a Maconna coffee jar lid fit perfectly.
The hunt goes on.

Door stop

This is actually one of a pair of bookends but they look great against the varnish of the wooden frames of the glass french doors. I have to sit them on a brick (covered in leopard print cloth) to give weight so that they actually hold the doors open.

White china

I found this in a sale and there was only one of them. I am sure this is a book end but looks great on the shelf in front of the books.

Black leather

This lovely box hold rose scented pot poure.

White wood crackle

I found this one in Manly Sydney while on holidays. It sits next to a little white and gold cat and they look like they are made for each other.

Dinner at GUTSY

This restaurant is in the alley on the way to our apartment. There is a chalk board sign that says it is a 'Casserole' restaurant. We walked past for a few days/nights not really interested in eating casserole.

Looked very inviting

One night after another massive shopping day we were too tired to go too far. So in we went. No menu in English of course so asked what kind of 'casserole' We were met with blank stares. Again English signs that mean nothing. It worked out to be a Japanese type of Spanish tapas.

Pork in mustard sauce

Mushrooms and beans

Full of lovely minced chicken

Egg on wagu hamburger

This was juicy and wonderful. In fact the food was so good definitely not a casserole in sight. Plus the house red was excellent.
Loving our alley - just wish we knew the address.

Stage one of the recipe project - Delicious Magazine

I have been subscribing to Delicious Magazine since it started. Every 2 years or so I go through the oldest 2 years of the collection and actually tear out the recipes I have used or intend to use one day. I end up with a pile of pages and clippings but at least 2 years of magazines leave the bookcase.

The tags are for the things I want to make

Surprisingly my tastes do change. It was 2003 and 2004 that went this past weekend. Sometimes I looked at a recipe and thought 'when did I ever think I was going to make that'! Then there were the treasures that I had skipped over.

2 years of these will go next time

Still more

The most recent

Time to cull again

It takes a whole weekend to go through 2 years of books. I cull a second time when I go through the loose pages and clippings.

The deserts

After I have culled a second time I go to the big grey ring binder and throw out any recipe that I haven't cooked in the past couple of years and put the 'new' ones in their place.

Working outside

It was enjoyable working on the outside table looking at the sky and waiting for the storms to come. Finally finished at 8pm on Sunday night - successful weekend project finished.

I am not going to wait 2 years for the next cull. It will be right after Christmas - that is why it is stage one…..

The Imperial Palace Gardens

On our Tokyo day after we visited the Bridgestone Art Gallery, we had planned a walk in the Imperial Palace Gardens. It happened to be a 'rainy' day but as our time was limited we knew that it was now or never for this trip.

The rain was light and misty but enough for an umbrella.

I just love ornate street lamps

This image greeted us. I am imagining that it looks wonderful at night.

So peaceful

This is just how I thought that these gardens would look. It would have been great to linger and maybe sit and enjoy a picnic but it was way too wet.

Guard house

This is the ancient guard house for the warriors who guarded the grounds.

Unfortunately the 'wet' got the better of us and we walked back into the city for lunch. If I ever return this garden will be a must on a sunny day.