QUESTI CURVI AVVOLTOI

Cosa fanno insieme John Paul Jones del Led Zeppelin,Dave Grohl ex Nirvana e Foo Fighters e Josh Homme dei QOTSA????? Bhe di certo non la calzetta..il loro gruppo si chiama Them Crooked Vultures e devo dire che ho dato un ascolto al loro nuovo lavoro... davvero niente male..certo l'influenza degli Zeppelin si sente ma d'altronde...complimenti anche per il coraggio di stamparlo in vinile( per gli appassionati del genere come me) in questi tempi oscuri di file mp3 e download!!!

A Good Read

For the ladies in the crowd. I read this several years ago and it still is at the top of my list when I give book recommendations. It is about friendship, travel, exploration and finding yourself. For some people it is just what they need. Whether you read it by the fire or on the beach, it's a good read.

Book Synopsis: Gang of Four by Liz Byrski
Pan Macmillan Australia

"She had a husband, children and grandchildren who loved her, a beautiful home, enough money. What sort of person was she to feel so overwhelmed with gloom and resentment on Christmas morning? They have been close friends for almost two decades, supporting each other through personal and professional crises - parents dying, children leaving home, house moves, job changes, political activism, diets and really bad haircuts. Now the 'gang of four', Isabel, Sally, Robin and Grace, are all fifty-something, successful ...and restless. It is Isabel who makes the first move, taking a year away from her family to follow in her mother's footsteps across Europe. Soon Sally is on her way to San Francisco, to come face to face with a guilty secret. Robin, in the wake of a clandestine relationship, heads for isolation in the country. And Grace? Well, Grace would never go away for an entire year, but, lonely in the others' absence, she thinks she might take a short holiday in England. Once there, she bumps into someone she hardly knows - herself.  Gang of Four is a story of four very different journeys and a celebration of women in the prime of life."

Wildstyle Graffiti Art HIP HOP Style

GRAFFITI GRAPHIC DESIGNWILDSTYLE GRAFFITI ARTWildstyle Graffiti Art "HIP HOP Style"HIP HOP music much loved by many people in American, but do you know if a Wildstyle Graffiti style in combination with HIP-HOP music is. Then the combination will be very interesting and unique, two arts into one of the art of painting with music. Make mutual benefit between each other. Graffiti Wildstye be

Tangging Cazo Alphabet Graffiti on Black Book

GRAFFITI LETTERS ALPHABETGRAFFITI GRAPHIC DESIGNTangging Cazo Alphabet GraffitiPlease give your comments about this graffiti image, Thanks....

Seen Graffiti Art Wars Style

GRAFFITI GRAPHIC DESIGNGRAFFITI ARTSeen Graffiti Art Wars Style"SEEN Graffiti", a type of style that a lot of graffiti or easily found on the walls of the city. There are many design characteristics that made the start-style bubble, 3D, Wildstyle. But for this time "Seen Graffiti" theme created by wars that are full of power, damage to the design around the words "Seen" given the effects of

Christmas Shopping: Faded Plains

Here is another little jewel, Faded Plains 

A lovely site filled with beautiful gift ideas. I am putting this one on my shopping list!

www.fadedplains.com

Enchanting Chairs

Interior designer Barbara Barry is intriguing. I have enjoyed following her work over the years but what I like most of all are her chairs. There is something whimsical and magical about them. They almost look like characters in a child's storybook. In fact, Beauty and the Beast comes to mind. If you have seen it you will know what I mean. Her designs are enchanting.

Images via Google and Elle Decor

Star Gold Alphabet Graffiti in Red Paper

GRAFFITI LETTER ALPHABETGRAFFITI GRAPHIC DESIGNStar Gold Alphabet Graffiti in Red PaperPlease give your comments about this graffiti image, Thanks....

Graffiti Alphabet A-Z Design with Color Spray paint

GRAFFITI ALPHABETGRAFFITI GRAPHIC DESIGNGraffiti Alphabet A-Z Design with Color Spray paintThere are lots of Graffiti Alphabet images around us without our knowing it, there are many forms and styles of design. Most graffiti alphabet was created with painting tools such as spray paint. But to paint graffiti with spray paint is not easy to take the experience and sense of caution in making a

Drawing Graffiti Letter Alphabet A-Z Handstyle

GRAFFITI ALPHABETGRAFFITI GRAPHIC DESIGNDrawing Graffiti Letter Alphabet A-Z for Graffiti Black BooksMaking Graffiti Alphabet design is not something that is difficult or complicated if you have been able to find your style. Design letters from A to Z of several styles and store it in graffiti black books as a form of work in finding an idea of our conscious imaginations. There are many types and

#2 Dear B....Packing 101

Homemaker saga continues.....

Dear B...

One of the hardest decisions to make when moving is what to do with the years and years of magazines that one has collected.  I am talking about a lot of magazines. Your husband says to get rid of them, your movers say...'surely not' and any book you pick up on 'Clearing Your Clutter' says to move on and let it go. But, I can't, so now I think of ways that I could secretly hide my magazines in our belongings...ways I could separate and disperse so no one would be the wiser.

Here is what I have come up with-

• Tuck one magazine in the folds of each towel and sheet set.  A bonus if you happen to fold in threes.
• Always wanted tree boots? No need. Fold and tuck a magazine into each boot. Buy more boots if necessary.
• Do a midnight run before packing and tuck one magazine between each shirt in the kids bureaus etc… A super bonus for anyone with a large family.
• Fill the spare tire compartment in your car with magazines. Toss the tire.
• Raid the kitchen. Place one magazine between each frying pan during packing. If you do not have enough pans consider a large farewell party in your honour. You will need more pans to cook for everyone.
• Think Martha..and improvise with magazines between plates and platters. Be careful!
• Consider toy chests. Donate kids toys to charity and fill with magazines.
• Reconsider all those boxes of christmas decorations you have...do you really need them all? ‘Let go’ and replace with magazines.
• Ooh, and yes..don't forget all those handbags, dufflebags, suitcases, lunch boxes, pretty storage boxes......

I reckon by the time this all happens maybe a hundred or so magazines will be safely tucked away. Just imagine the delight when several weeks later, in your new home, you discover your little treasures :)

From Clever Homemaker    (Images via Google)

Letter A-Z in Alphabet Graffiti Red-Black Color

GRAFFITI LETTERS ALPHABETGRAFFITI GRAPHIC DESIGNLetter A-Z in Alphabet Graffiti "Red-Black Color"Please give your comments about this graffiti image, Thanks....

N-GR5 Graffiti Names SKILVA

GRAFFITI ARTGRAFFITI GRAPHIC DESIGNN-GR5 Graffiti Names SKILVALearn to make Graffiti names is a good start to begin the easy thing to achieve a higher level. Many of us who want to make but do not know what to try to make a graffiti with the design and style of what? make like the ones in the walls of the city was difficult. So better you try to create a graffiti-style names bubble using your

Blue Light Graffiti ABC

GRAFFITI ABCGRAFFITI GRAPHIC DESIGNBlue Light Graffiti ABCPlease give your comments about this graffiti image, Thanks....

White, Fresh and Lovely

Isn't it great how we all discover each other? Opening a page that you immediately identify with is like unwrapping a lovely present.  Such a great feeling. This site has beautiful images. I only wish I could understand the language! Go to www.mariedelice.blogspot.com and enjoy!

Images from www.mariedelice.blogspot.com 

Graffiti Mafia Gangsta

GRAFFITI GANGSTA ARTGRAFFITI GRAPHIC DESIGNGraffiti Mafia GangstaPlease give your comments about this graffiti image, Thanks....

Graffiti Alphabet GUARDIAN

GRAFFITI ALPHABET GUARDIAN GRAFFITI GRAPHIC DESIGNGraffiti Alphabet "GUARDIAN" Alphabet Graffiti by the name "GUARDIAN" I created this online through graffiti creator. It turned out to make a Graffiti Graphic Design in capital letters is not difficult, I can even call it easy. We live to write the letter that we want, and then we choose the style and color pattern that will give the graffiti

Flowers for you....

         

Is there anything better than big bouquets of freshly cut hydrangeas? They are so welcoming in any room. I planted a dozen hydrangeas last summer and they are just coming into their own. I took these photos this morning. A good friend gave me cuttings from her Piha garden. Hers were at least two metres tall and glorious. I may just get a peek before we move. I send these flowers to you wishing you a wonderful weekend filled with all the people and things you love... :)

Image: Collage of Life

All things vintage..

If you can't resist all things vintage than you must have a look at  Couture Allure . It is filled with wonderful vintage clothes and is a great spot if you are looking for that unique and extra special something that says it all.

 Summers day blue for ladies of the Southern Hemisphere..

Christmas red for ladies of the North..

Images Source

Paris in winter..am I crazy?

I have not been to Paris since the 70's and I cannot speak french. 

I am thinking of a trip to Paris in January. 

Am I crazy? 

A long weekend with my daughter, a last hurrah 

before she heads off to her first year of University. 

My thinking is to take the Eurostar from London 

and keep everything as simple as possible. 

I have had a few suggestions...

• From Evelyn: "www.carondebeaumarchais.com This hotel is perfect. It is so divine (so beautiful) and the owners are like family. Check out the website. The location is brilliant in the Marais - my favourite!!!I walk everywhere from here."
•  How to Enjoy Paris in Winter | eHow.com
• 
  
  
  From David: "www.paris-walks.com has excellent walking tours of various neighborhoods.  Lots of fun, highly regarded."....and more from David....
  
  

  Check out the Musee National Picasso Paris Museum, and the Musee Marmontan Monet.  Go to the Samantha Brown travel channel website and click on her Paris weekend site. For an inexpensive but nice hotel, try the Grand Hotel Leveque. It's in the middle of a pedestrian street market,  100 metres from the Eiffel Tower. Walking distance to metro.  Musee de Orsay has the best impressionist art collection, and is small enough to do in 1-2 hours. Walk along the Blvd St Germain in the 6th district for the best shopping.  Lots of little side streets and restaurants. From there walk to Shakespeare and Company.  book store, across from Notre Dame, also worth a visit. Also good shopping on Rue Mouffetard, another good market.  Champs Elysees is a beautiful walk. Explore the 5th and 6th districts as much as possible, lots of fun stuff going on. Use the Metro!! It is safe, clean and efficient.    These bike tours are a ton of fun, I do one every time I'm in Paris. http://fattirebiketours.com/paris/tours  POSTSCRIPT: Home from Paris.... Love is in the air in Paris... http://collageoflife-henrqs.blogspot.com/2010/01/love-is-in-air.html Enchante Laduree... http://collageoflife-henrqs.blogspot.com/2010/01/enchante-laduree.html Looking at the Louvre... http://collageoflife-henrqs.blogspot.com/2010/01/looking-at-louvre.html Thinking of Julia Childs... http://collageoflife-henrqs.blogspot.com/2010/01/thinking-of-julia.html  Heavenly Fragonard... http://collageoflife-henrqs.blogspot.com/2010/01/postcards-for.html Weekend thoughts on Paris... http://collageoflife-henrqs.blogspot.com/2010/01/weekend-in-paris.html Image via Dmitri Kessel  http://www.barewalls.com/pv-471485_Paris--Eiffel-Winter.html

  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Moving on...

I am leaving the beautiful weather of the southern hemisphere for the chilly blast that I expect will greet meet me when we arrive in the UK next month. I am thinking positive or at least trying to. I looked at these and thought, well....maybe moving to a cooler climate won't be so bad. So, I will hold that thought and soldier on with planning and packing and think of shopping again at Anthropologie:)

                                                    Source: Anthropologie

Caught my eye..

I came across this on designer, Vincent Wolf's web page.

It just caught my eye. Very simple, but interesting.

I love collections and groupings of anything.

CARO VECCHIO GRATOSOGLIO

Caro vecchio Gratosoglio nel tuo cemento consumato e nei tuoi coping schiacciati sono racchiuse mille emozioni fatte di legno ed uretano.
Per chi ti ha vissuto sin dal primo giorno rimarrai sempre e per sempre il primo concrete park italiano.
La prima volta che ti vidi pensai:"..Che piccolo..."
ma nel corso degli anni capii quanto tu fossi grande.
Quando ti prendevamo sottogamba ci ricordavi sempre la tua supremazia facendoci assaggiare di che pasta eri fatto.
Quanti skater ho visto martoriare il tuo corpo, quante indimenticabili session notturne illuminate dai fari delle nostre macchine aspettando il sole dopo serate briscole.
La gente che passava guardava e non capiva,chi capiva ci stava e chi voleva farci capire se ne andava sopraffatto... perchè come fai a capire se non bruci di vita.
Caldi pomeriggi...afa infernale...respiravi california ma eri nella periferia e... dio come si sta bene ai margini della città...
Il verde del prato contrastava col bianco del tuo cemento in quelle giornate ed era bello solo guardarti mentre si riposava sdraiati sul prato immaginando la prossima session.
Nel freddo inverno trasudavi di umidità e più di una volta il tragitto per venirti a trovare finiva in un nulla di fatto perchè eri indomabile e le mie ossa se lo ricordano.
Grazie per i primi carve,le misure imperfette,la demo death box,le zanzare assassine,i coping disfatti,il caos party,gli scazzi con i tamarri,la fontanella sempre più distante,alla hip killer sulla bowl,per le session del jep e del Bonassi,al vicino supermarket,i buchi,il tombino assassino,alla slaidiera in cemento capita da pochi,le ringhiere-sega che ti aprivano la tavola ad ogni impatto,per i cm di pelle lasciati quà e là,per qualche osso o articolazione lasciato/a quà e là,per le risate,per le faccie nuove e vecchie,per le manovre sbagliate e per quelle chiuse.
Grazie,caro vecchio Gratosoglio.

(ph.courtesy of theboardfathers)

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

These images are perfect to me. Taking photographs of people and being photographed are both equally challenging things to do. The photographers here have made a very special connection with their subject. You can see it in their eyes. Touch ups aside, they are special images. Each one has captured the essence of the individual and when we can see it...it is a gift.

Diana image via Google (www.mariotestino.com)

Jackie image via Google (www.time.com)

India Hicks image via Google (www.indiahicks.com)

You've Got Mail...You've Got a Comment ?

I recently watched 'You've Got Mail'. I have watched it so many times I have lost count but it dawned on me as I was watching it that we could probably re-write the script now for blogging.  The excitement they felt at receiving emails is now the same for me when I receive a comment from a blogger.  I also now find that I am hearing Meg Ryans voice when I write...not sure what to make of that one. Maybe I spend to much time on the computer? My kids would smile over that one :)

Images via Google

Fashion Flashback: Marlo Thomas

Hands up if you were a fan of 'That Girl'! 

Me, me me! I had that dress and I am pretty sure I had white 'go go' boots to go with it. Wow, I haven't used that word in a long time. Check out this site...nice trip down memory lane...for some of us:)  www.rdjour.com (Features)

Image  and post via www.rudujour.com/2009/10/08/fashion-flashback-marlo-thomas/#more-30252Fashion Flashback: Marlo Thomas |

Sumptuous Bohemian Living

 Could I give up my familiar ways to live with Ralph Lauren's New Bohemian Collection? Absolutely! Just to be clear on the matter I checked in with Wikipedia and found this  "Bohemianism is the practice of an unconventional lifestyle, often in the company of like-minded people, involving musical, artistic or literary pursuits, with few permanent ties. Bohemians can be wanderers, adventurers, or vagabonds." Sounds like blogging to me! Sumptuous is the word that comes to mind when I look at these images. 

Now, how would you decorate the Christmas tree?

Images via www.ralphlaurenhome.com/rlhome/collection/newbohemian_items.asp

Wonderful Wellies

Rain..rain...no need to go away. If there is one thing I have discovered living in New Zealand is that rain comes in all forms. After living here I have a keen appreciation for what they mean when they refer to the country as the 'Land of the Long White Cloud'. That is why I am so excited about the wellies that Tamara Henriques has created. They are fun, stylish and waterproof. Doesn't get any better than that!

Images via www.tamarahenriques.com

Morning Walk

This is when New Zealand is at it's best. The sun is shining, 

the birds are singing their little hearts out, gardens are bursting in anticipation of summer, the smell of freshly cut grass is in the air and all is right in the world.

Collage of Life images

New Zealand