Some Pretty Things

..my birthday!

I’m turning 26 tomorrow. I think it’s awesome because I get presents. Being 25 has really sucked balls, so I’m actually looking forward to being a year older!

But so much hasn’t changed. For example, this is a photo of me aged 16.

Aren’t I all innocent and stuff? I didn’t even have kids then! Dear small, sweet 16 year old self, do not have sex. Do not stand for disrespect. Do not put up with anything less than you deserve.

Dear 16 year old self, put some effort into school. It will make it much easier in the long run – honestly, high school flies by compared to other things.

Dear 16 year old self, please look after yourself. I love you, even if you don’t.

And this is me aged 25 and 361 days – same eyeliner, same desperately grungey clothes (there is something about a black bra under a white tshirt that just sings to me, even though I know it’s a hideous fashion faux pas), same fuck the world attitude. Luckily, I’m a little nicer to myself now.

Dear 26 year old self – don’t allow things to continue because you are scared of change. Life is too short to be miserable, even for a moment.

Dear 26 year old self, contraception is your friend. ‘Nough said.

Dear 26 year old self, I love you to distraction. Laugh, love and be merry. You deserve it.

Happy Birthday to me.

A dull pressure
In my abdomen
Marks the moment
I saw stars.

Sticky sheets.
Afterward
I stick a pencil in my mouth
And pretend it’s a cigarette.

Every limb, every digit
Ignited and flared
And roared and subsided
And glows.

I catch my breath
From wherever it ran to
And stretch.
A satiated lioness,

For the moment.
It would be better
If you were here.
It would be better.

That photo has absolutely nothing to do with this post, I just thought it was pretty. I’m mega behind with my reviews. I think it’s coz I got out of the habit of writing them during that month where I read nothing but J D Robb. I haven’t actually finished all the in death books, but apparently my library doesn’t want to give me any this fortnight. Also, it’s my birthday soon, can someone please buy me a kindle?

I have actually had Fire sitting on my bookshelf for about 6 months now. I was saving it for a special occasion because I enjoyed Graceling so much that i read it in a few hours while on a plane and regretted that I didn’t take it more slowly. I also regret that I left it at the boy’s place in Melbourne and I’m pretty sure he threw it out (along with my labyrinth manga. Bastardo!). I became disillusioned with crime/police procedure/pathologist novels because no one even comes close to Robb and I thought I’d jump back into fantasy with the prequel to Graceling.

It’s not as good.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a fantastic book. I found the concept of ‘Gracelings’ to be so fresh and original and the ‘Monsters’ in Fire are well executed new fantasy. But I didn’t get the point of the story. Maybe I was expecting it to be more of as precursor to Graceling than it was.
The plot twists and turns at a decent rate, moving the story along nicely, and the prose is easy and descriptive. I found it easy to visualise the scenes in this book and felt like I was right in the thick of the action. The actual twists though are not so um, twisty? – the mystery surrounding Cansrel’s death is figured out after a chapter or two if you have half a brain, and it’s quite obvious why Brocker got the boot from the palace (and the results of his actions). And the whole ‘oh dear, Archer knocked up two women at the same time, which one will he choose?’ issue is easily dealt with and you can see it coming a mile off. I felt like Cashore was writing to a formula – here are some loose ends. Tie them in a pretty but obvious way and lets get on with things.

If you haven’t read Graceling (shame on you), then go and get this book first. You’ll enjoy it, it’s a pretty story with enough action (both on the battle field and in the bedroom) to keep even the most discerning of readers interested. And the idea of the ‘monster’ animals is fascinating and well thought out – I hope they continue to feature in Cashore’s future work. And above all, if this is your starting off point, you’ll think Graceling is fucking fantastic.

Clara’s album Indigo comes out today. You can hear the cute interview she did here – just click on ‘Audio – Clara Barker’ to the right of the screen. I’m so, so proud of my girl – she’s amazing!

I’m all excited because I have a newborn shoot with a friend’s nephew on tomorrow and next Tuesday, a maternity shoot with my friend Jen. Nervous too, but mostly excited. So a lot of my flickr favourites from this past week are girl portraits and baby shots! And just ignore the blank square – i didn’t notice until just now and I can’t be assed fixing it.

1. Ashlynne & Emmie, 2. Wanna ride?, 3. babe in the fields, 4. Baby C, 5. Tenby Point 20, 6. Rain Rain go away, 7. Hannah Senior Photos, 8. Engagement: Matt + Jana, 9. Engagement: Matt + Jana, 10. so she dances, 11. Untitled, 12. Light splash, 13. And even nature has to take her course., 14. So do we die or do we travel?, 15. Untitled, 16. sweet cheek, 17. “If you’ve never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.”, 18. 41b/365, 19. They’ve learned empathy, 20. wild horses, 21. little shy fox, 22. ~with thanks, 23. post and run……., 24. The few that remain 8/365, 25. And away they go..

I stole this link from Winona, and it totally deserves another mention. (She also does awesome Tyra impressions.)

Jessica Kettle takes fabulous photographs – I love these of her best friend, they are so sunny and joyful (and the dress is amazing).

I am in love with fellow WA-ian, Karen Cheng and her blog Snippets of Life. She’s amazing, gorgeous and really down to earth (her cheong sam is Australian made. Can I show off by telling you mine is actually from China? Not that I’ve ever been, but a friend picked one up for me). Plus, her kids are adorable and feature regularly on her mostly style blog. Someone to aspire to, I think!

Another creepy-but-awesome thing I found – Chris Anthony. Check out the ‘Victims and Avengers‘ album.

I found Harmony Nicholas’ blog She Takes Photos through Mishka Mink and I’m v. v. glad I did. Speaking of Michka, have you seen this photo? The makeup is freaking amazing!

I. Want. This. (the ring, although I wouldn’t mind a nice romp with Spike) I don’t have the money though. I do own some Wendy Brandes pieces – see how I did that? Made it look like I have thousands of dollars of designer jewellery hanging around in my wardrobe? I don’t, I promise you, but her Woolf pendant in silver is my favourite necklace ever. And I wear it more than anything else i own – he’s so tiny and perfect. And while I’m going on and on about Wendy Brandes, can I just say she is the nicest person ever? I can? She’s the NICEST PERSON EVER. She’s like a totally famous blogger and she still takes the time to answer emails and comments and things. She’s just adorable (and looks about a third of her age).

Finally, I’ve been thinking about getting some contact lenses again – I’ve had green ones and purple ones before, but they ended up drying out. I had lots of trouble getting the damn things in, but this video tute (vute? lol) makes putting in these huge circle lenses look so easy. Plus, will you look at Violet’s eyes after she puts the lashes on? They are SOOO BIG.

This is cheating a bit – These shoes weren’t thrifted, but I love them so. The dress is grey and the shoes are black, so you’re not losing anything to black and white, I promise.

Dress – Mayday Op Shop
Shoes – Big W
Piano – Stolen from Mum

..at least a week since I posted a photograph of the baby.

Between home and Avalon’s daycare center (I know, I know, I’m a terrible mother coz I dump her at a center twice a week when I don’t even work and the government has to pay for it and shock horror i’m going to hell. blah blah.) there is a stretch of roadside scrub that has some absolutely gorgeous plants – if you are willing to get down low and scrabble in the dirt coz they are all about 1 ft high!
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