The doers

Workshop of a very inspirational doer who kicked off &company.

"Luck finds the doers".

Via the Entrepreneur Wisdom Database.  Ah ain't that the truth.

Again, ties in nicely with my favourite Jefferson quote.

Miss Representation

I saw Miss Representation a couple of weeks back and have been meaning to write about it.  We had it screened here at work because it was seen as such a vital film exploring the misrepresentations of women, and how this has led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence.  The topic isn't new to anyone but I definitely walked away with a few questions about my own behavior and how I've indadvertedly played a part to support this misrepresentation (addiction to The Hills, anyone?  Brb watching Kim Kardashian's wedding).

There was a comment in particular that struck me, it was Gloria Steinem speaking just as the credits were about to roll -

“If you and I, every time we pass a mirror, downgrade how we look and complain about how we look, if we remember that a girl is watching us and that’s what she’s learning..."

This weekend just past I caught myself looking in the mirror and telling myself that I had better up the strength training as my bingo arms were unacceptable, and I deleted a bulk of photos where I felt like I had the shadow of a double chin.  It's a disquieting thing when you think you're on one side of an argument but then you realise you are actually rallying loudly on the other.

Here's to remembering that there is always another girl, learning from us.

Self-respect

Nourishing breakfast over at Olivetti.

"Self-respect is a discipline, a habit of mind that can never be faked but can be developed, trained, coaxed forth."


from writer Joan Didion.  Start the week right with a good breakfast and self-respect.

The stage for productivity

Gloriously fluffy sheets from my Tokyo bed last year.

Never thought I'd be quoting anything beyond a recipe from Cupcakes and Cashmere, but I really enjoyed this recent post on bedroom rules, particularly Emily's point on making the bed.  In her words - 


"I once heard that if you begin your day by accomplishing something (even if it’s as simple as making the bed), it sets the stage for productivity."

Ok, bed made.  Let's do this.

Morning banquet

Sometimes when I'm trolling the Internet and getting ready for bed, I think about... breakfast.  I've referenced my love for the most important meal of the day before, and on this particular night I'm specifically reminiscing about Kazbah's breakfast banquet.

At $25 per person for what can only be described as a gluttonous feast, I have argued many a time that this is the best value breakfast in Sydney (minimum 6 people) -

Start with a trio of sweet couscous, porridge and warm rice pudding.

Switch to savoury with a lamb breakfast tagine on toasted turkish.

Then comes what can only be described as a plate of all your favourite breakfast foods - from black sausage through to grilled haloumi.  Oh yes and eggs served up in every way you like them.

If you have any room left, finish off with a duo of 'pancakes' i.e. more like actual cakes piled with cream and ice cream.

Decide between sweet or savoury no more!  Leave your mental debate re poached vs fried eggs at home - have both. Oh and you get crayons for the table - what more could you want?

Until morning!

Do it with joy

Fancy some good product design with your sourdough pancakes?

Had the pleasure of visiting Kitchen by Mike at Koskela recently, courtesy of a good friend who knew my love of both delicious foods and stuffed toys in the shape of clouds and ice cream cones.  The words plastered at one of their desks came to mind this morning as I was reflecting on that Stanford speech.

Joy.

Kids with your popcorn

Putting on the 3D glasses makes me feel like I'm getting ready for a ride.

Anyone who knows me is pretty familiar with how infrequently I go to the movies, but with C's new job it's become an essential - tough, I know.

Decided to catch up with the rest of the world and see The Avengers on the weekend; it confirmed for me that children should absolutely be in every movie theatre everywhere (assuming that what you're seeing is family friendly, we're talking superheros not Mulholland Drive here).  Whatever I was thinking, they were thinking ("are they bad guys or good guys?"), when Captain America showed up they were the first to cheer and when I snorted out loud they were laughing even harder.  It reminded me of how great it was to watch a movie in the company of a crowd who rises and falls to the story with you.

Anyway, it's been awhile since I've really looked forward to a trip to the movies, but the kid sitting behind me who really loved the hulk already has me planning my next visit.

Here's to getting back to the movies.

p.s. Please excuse the scant posting of late!  No internet at home makes for no blogging huhu.

Chardonnay class?

C can be funny sometimes - not really sure how he mistook 'cooking class' for a wine tasting class but there you go.

Sans apron but with glass in hand we found ourselves at Wood Street Wines' Chardonnay Master Class at the Quarter 21 Cookery School last night.  So I may not know any more about how to make my own pasta, but I can tell you a thing or two about a good chardonnay!  And with the matching canapes (finishing off with an incredible steak and the most delicious fried potatoes I've ever had) I didn't go hungry either.

The class was tucked behind the store at Quarter 21, fittingly surrounded by rows of wine and cheese.

Some reading accompanied each wine, while the sommelier talked us through each drink.

The matching canapes courtesy of the Quarter 21 kitchen were equally delicious.

What's wine without a cheese plate?

A class without desks - the setting was casual and intimate, just as it should be if good wine up for consumption.

The class was great way to wine and dine the evening away, and with it being just on the top level of Westfield on Pitt it makes for a perfect post-work activity.  You'll learn something too!

Kid car tunes

These kids are cooler than I am -

Pretty sure I was only listening to my Jolibee tunes when I was their age - I love the girl's expressions when it comes to Kimbra's part.

A great little clip to get your morning going.  Enjoy!

Letters for our daughters

Worth having

“Why don’t you tell me that ‘if the girl had been worth having she’d have waited for you’?  No, sir, the girl really worth having won’t wait for anybody.”

From F. Scott Fitzgerald via Letters for our Daughters - I feel half half about the various pieces of writing here but ultimately love the idea of the project, things we would want to impart on our future daughters.

Always

C really surprises me sometimes.

He had a couple of shirts made in Singapore recently (before he left) and had one of them embroidered with the word 'always' on the cuff.  When I asked him why he said it's because he wants to be able to look down at his hand while at work and 'always' remember what really matters in the long run: family, friends, home - i.e. the things that will always be there.

I might not have it sewn into my shirt, but knowing that he does is enough of a reminder for me.

Lovely days

I am pretty confident that I have this disorder.  When the world is grey and overcast I want to throw in my job and sleep forever in a cave, but with the sunshine we've been having lately I wake up thinking about what a lovely day it is and am only too happy to get out of bed.

I think of the song, except the 'you' that I'm singing to in 'when I look at you' is the beautiful sunshine and cloudless skies we've been enjoying lately.  Not the first time I've manipulated songs to sing to the sunshine.

Just one look at you, and I know it's gonna be a lovely day.