Film Festival Fun

It's that time of year again.

Right now, Wellington can either be stunningly beautiful, channelling Tennyson's "all in the blue, unclouded weather," or unapologetically foul, as the Cook Strait is rained, blown and spewed upon the streets, houses and hills.

Basically it's this one day:

And something like this the next:

The state of the weather is a little bit off-topic, but my point is that each year, mid-to-late July heralds the New Zealand International Film Festival, and, for the the third year in a row, I plan to traipse around the city in inappropriate footwear, visiting the gorgeous cinemas, hunting down interesting new films. (The inappropriate footwear being little suede ballet flats. They don't hold up to the city's hills, and they certainly don't survive a full southerly thunderstorm.)

Anyway, this year, I've got a lot of films I want to see. Unfortunately, due to other people being a lot more organised than me (ie, they booked tickets), I've missed out on seeing the Czech "Kawasaki's Rose" - a film inspired that explores the communist state surviellence that Czech's live with daily. Not surprisingly, this film is said to be inspired by "The Lives of Others."

However, not all is lost.

There's still Polanski's "The Ghost Writer" (starring the very attractive Ewan McGregor). There's the kiwi film "The Hopes and Dreams of Gazza Snell." There's the intriguing (and beautiful looking) Brazilian film "I Travel Because I Have To, I Come Back Because I Love You." And finally, with a nod to my Australian Gangster heritage, there's "Animal Kingdom."

Should be good times.

xx Esther

To Market To Market!

Okay, so no-one likes the biting winter cold. Waking up freezing and debating whether to get up and brace the cold, or just stay in bed! But Winter does have its charms. For me, there is nothing better to warm me up than a delicious soup, stew, risotto, or any other veggie-laden Winter dish. Surely, this is the season when a day spent indoors cooking up a storm is entirely justified.

All those apple are only $2.50 a kilo, bargain!

With this interest in mind, each Saturday I brace the cold and head out the the Canberra Region Framers Markets, out at Exhibition Park. And I'm not alone! Between 8 and 11am every Saturday the epic centre is a buzz with people buying and selling delicious, local produce. Fruit and vegetable abound - it is very difficult to pick which stall to visit. On top of this, there are loads of different food stands - Asian food, fudge and cake, tea, fresh honey, homemade chutneys and dips - so you can do most of your weekly food shop there. For you fellow caffeine addicts out there, there are two coffee Batista's (which is really the most important thing when you're up that early.)

I bought these to make Esther's grilled vegetable couscous salad

http://petalsmarkedwithspots.blogspot.com/2010/01/grilled-vegetable-couscous-salad.html

The best thing? Well there are two - the price is generally cheaper than supermarkets, and the quality of the fruit and veg cannot be better. You will never buy a supermarket apple again after tasting the one's at the Farmers Markets. And another plus - buying produce at farmers markets - no matter where you live - supports the local industry. So really, its all win-win.

For more info on the markets, check out the website: http://www.capitalregionfarmersmarket.com.au/

Now to make some delicious soup!

Gracie

xx

Violet Songs

It is about this time of year when the you just want to stay indoors, rug up and relax. For fellow uni students, it is also the time of year when a little distraction is just what the doctor ordered. A few weeks ago someone special introduced me to The National's new album 'High Violet', which has proved the perfect winter album.

The American indie rock band has eclipsed their success with this wonderful album. Their 2007 album 'Boxer' a few years ago received critical acclaim, with 'High Violet' the band's much anticipated follow up record. Fans will not be disappointed by the calming yet sombre album the National released last month.

'High Violet' moves in perfect sequence from track to track, taking you on an acoustic journey. Opening with the melancholy 'Terrible Love' and 'Sorrow', the album draws you in to the tales of heartache, fear and sorrow that fill the tracks. My favourite is 'Afraid of Everyone', with its haunting backing vocals making for one beautifully sad song. 'High Violet' is one of those rare albums that compels you to listen to the very end, with each track complementing and seeming inseparable from the whole (I wish more albums were make like this). While a few upbeat tracks are included in the album, the darkness of the work pervades. The band's fifth studio album is one of maturity, both musically and emotionally. The hauntingly distinct vocals of front man Matt Berninger bring the intense tracks to life. The melancholy sound of the album is perfect for those grey Wintry days when you just don't feel like heading outdoors, and need a little distraction.

If you've never listened to The National before, then 'High Violet' is a great place to start.

Gracie

xx

Winter is... cool.

(Snow covered sheep. Hilarious.)

I am a fan of winter. This may have something to do with the fact that summer is not really that great for skiing. But really, I think it's more than this. Here are some of the reasons why I think winter is... cool:

- Legitimately hibernating inside.
- Ice-kingdom frosts on the lawn in the morning.
- Skiing (ok, it was an important reason).
- Deciduous tees look beautiful (in a gothic kind of way) bare-leaved against grey skies
- Clean, sharp tasting air (and, as a bonus you can pretend you're a dragon when you breathe out) (though, currently I get this effect in every room of my house...)
- People start baking (honestly, who wants to bake on a 37 degree February day?)
- Men look sexy in scarves.

Any other reasons for why you think winter is great?

Esther xx

Kenzo Crush

I often have fashion crushes. If I see a stylishly dressed woman with a quirky flair walk by I can't help but look at her with admiration, and jealousy. My favorite couture label is without question Kenzo. The Parisian company is all about arty, eclectic and gorgeous fashion, which are all the things I love. Amidst study procrastination, I checked out their Autumn-Winter 2009/2010 collection (online of course, you can't get much more than Kenzo fragrances in Canberra, sigh) and fell in love with the label all over again.

The collection is filled with detailed trench coats, leather gloves, fur,boots and pretty floral dresses. The clothes have a distinctly Russian feel, with the calf-length dresses teamed with fur-trimmed boots. The patterns remind me of something you would see in a Nathalia Goncharova painting or costume design, with their folkish, vibrant feel. Goncharova was a member of the Russian Avant Garde, with her cubist, colour-rich style reflected in the contrating fabrics and cuts of the latest Kenzo line.

Nathalia Goncharova, Original Ballet Russe Season Program 1940-41,

Illustrated cover, Private Collection.

Nathalia Goncharova, Costume for a Peasant Girl in the Ballet

'Foire de Sorotchinsk',1940, graphite, transparent and

opaque watercolour,

Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco.

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I love the colours that dominant the collection; clear blues, metallics, purples, reds showing that winter doesn't have to be boring. It is a chance to accessorise with cute gloves (I would kill for the blue Kenzo ones), jackets and scarves. The Kenzo designers clearly shame my excitement, the over sized cuts of thick material and chunky jewellery indicate that these pieces are designer to keep you nice and warm on those cold winter days.

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Kenzo is known for its eclectic, folkish style, something that once again stands out in this collection. The designers have incorporated elements of knitting, quilting and embroidery, giving the jackets a distinctly rustic and unique feel. They are nothing like the slick, streamlined trenches that normally populate the Paris catwalk. This floral piece is my favourite, with its shapeless cut reminding me of my own collection of (much less stylish) handmade, woolen jumpers that are all about keeping you warm, and looking chic in classic florals at the same time.

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It is probably a good thing that I'm not anywhere near Kenzo fashions at the moment, my Parisian Aunt had to drag me out of the Paris boutique as I became incredibly overexcited by all the colours, patterns and gorgeous fabrics. I mean really, is $8,000 too much to pay for a Kenzo jacket? Perhaps I should wait until I have a real job. For now, I will have to settle with my tiny bottle of Flower perfume.

For a Kenzo fix you can check out the collection on the Vogue Australia website, where I got these photos by Marcio Maderia:

http://www.vogue.com.au/fashion+shows/galleries/kenzo+ready+to+wear+autumn+winter+2009+10,6967?

The Kenzo website also has footage of the runway show, complete with a Babushka doll, blue lights and Russian music. What more could you possibly want in a fashion show? http://www.kenzo.com/index_mode.php?langue=en

There is a Kenzo boutique in Melbourne for you lucky things down there,

Grace

xx

Rainy Day Breakfast

For the past week Canberra has forgotten that it is still Summer, and has been blessed with Autumnal weather. This morning I woke to puring rain and a misty sky. As someone who loves rain and cloudy days (surely they provide creative inspiration), I have been very happy with the tea-drinking, tight-wearing weather. The best part is that I can now indulge in my favorite cold weather breakfast - porridge.

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I never skip breakfast, and always try to make it as exciting as possible (no burnt toast and tasteless cereal for me)! I mus admit though, laziness does make me an instant oats girl. I know that oats cooked on the stove are much tastier, but I never have the time!

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For my delicious porridge you need:

1/2 cup of instant oats

2/3 cup of milk

1 banana (or any fresh or dried fruit you like, grated pear or apple is delicious)

A handful, sliced of blueberries

1 tablespoon of honey

1 tablespoon of slivered almonds (or chopped walnuts)

1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

Add the milk and oats into a medium-sized bowl and microwave for two minutes. Then add a sliced banana, or other fruit and microwave for another minute. Remove from microwave and add honey, nuts and blueberries. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and enjoy with a nice cup of coffee. This will set you up for all those wintry days to come.

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Grace

xx