Old McDonald

Oh No Washington!

Whoever said that celebrities must remain censored did not give the message to Australia's latest singer/songwriter, Megan Washington. And whilst I have commented on her sweet melodies and quirky nostalgia before, her Facebook page and Twitter stream are something different entirely. Between images of cactus's, crude cartoons and complaints about interstate coffee, there is always something that Washington has to say that makes me look twice. Sometimes I smirk, sometimes I have a bit of an inside giggle, mainly though I just think to myself... where in the world did this girl get her imagination? Because I need to get myself one! I think above all though, it's just really refreshing to actually see the human side to some of our favourite artists, in a completely first hand way. Although I now know that Megan Washington "takes advice like she takes margaritas", I would much prefer to read that, have a giggle, maybe even like the status, than be bombarded by tabloids of who Paris Hilton is pashing this week.

Megan Washington on Facebook

101 Update

So it has been a month and a day since I set out to complete 101 things to better my life. And while I have been busy with end of semester uni business, I have managed to cross a few of them off the list. Here are some with photo evidence.

94. Read a book in a day.

75. Clean my closet and donate clothes. 

9. Throw a themed dinner party.

18. Have a Harry Potter marathon. 

For those of you who have now gone and began your own lists, which of them have you had the pleasure of ticking off?

Picnic At Hanging Rock

'Picnic at Hanging Rock' is best known as one of the greatest Australian mysteries circa 1975. While many of us have forgotten about the film, Shakuhachi have borrowed it's dreamlike aura and eerie vibe, and used it as the inspiration for their Spring Summer 2010/11 collection Love etc.

I would love for nothing more than to own every single one of the pieces above. But sadly, I have subscribed to the SALVO's buy nothing new challenge for the month of October. If still available at the end of the month, I might just treat myself to the lovely maxi in time for summer.

You can adore the entire collection on the Shakuhachi website HERE.
Or pre-order these items from My Catwalk.

So Frenchy...

Classical ballet, quaint cafes and the Champs-Elysees are just a few of the French fancies that linger in my dreams. Although I have never been to Paris, it resides relatively high on my to-do-sometime-soon list.

In the meantime however, there is Cartell Music, a website dedicated to bringing us a cleverly curated selection of music from France and beyond. Their aim - to get as many magical sounds into a musical playground as possible. They maintain a top five chart, host many of the classics, and even present their very own compilations such as So Frenchy So Chic, the unofficial soundtrack to the 2010 French Film Festival.

As a reward for registering with the site, Cartell have allowed for a free download of five tracks from some of their favourites. I downloaded them, and it was the best decision I have made all week. I have just discovered five new alluring artists to add to my pleasant listening playlist.

Click HERE to download:

Dreamland by Emilie Simon

Jimmy by Moraity 

Chupee by Cocoon 

Demain by Berry

Bruises by Melanie Pain 

I Like It On My Desk

Earlier this week I began to notice a trend with some of the status updates scrolling across my Facebook news feed. At first I was completely shocked. These statements like "I like it on the floor" and "I like it on the bench", incredibly sexual sentences that I would never expect to be published by some of the lovely ladies who I am friends with. But alas, they had. Then it occurred to me. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Remembering last years publicity stint, where women around the world had status updated about the colour of their under garments, it was obvious that this was another cancer campaign. While most of facebook will scratch their heads at such provocative statements, women from all over will secretly smile, and know exactly where their best friend's like to keep their purse.

Visit Pink Ribbon to get involved and raise funds for breast cancer research!

A Big Day Out

At 12:01 this morning, tickets for Sydney's Big Day Out summer music festival went on sale. An event to which I have been eagerly awaiting since hearing the announcement last week. While most people I know were disappointed with the lineup, I was becoming loudly excited. Not for any of the headline acts, no. But for so many of the artists resting at the bottom of the bill. To name a few, Angus & Julia Stone, Little Red, Crystal Castles, Dead Letter Circus, Blue King Brown, Kids of 88 and Gypsy & The Cat, to complete a perfect day with John Butler Trio and MIA. 

And while I know I can see many of these acts for no more than $17 at a seedy Sydney pub midweek, the money is well worth having them all fall on one wonderous day of bands, beer and best friends.

So, it was a stressful twenty minutes, but at 12.23 I received my confirmation email saying, Yes, You are going to Big Day Out next year! And now the excitement builds as I uncover everybody else who scored tickets. But, for anyone who missed out, BDO have just announced a second festival date, for January the 27th. Tickets will go on sale next Monday!