Spring Fling

It’s actually the name of The Wheeler Centre’s storytelling festival that starts this coming Wednesday and may be a safer bet than outdoor activity this week. I always love seeing the Spring Carnival Racing fashion as much as I feel conflicted about horse racing itself. I do love Zimmermann’s High Tide navy and white spot halter neck dress (below) had I been attending Derby Day and it was great to see Elsa Pataky in Christian Dior.

I love Dior’s designs as much as I love Chanel – there is something about the French designer which is very timeless and classic. I took my mum to see Mrs Harris Goes to Paris last night at Cinema Nova in Carlton (based on the books by Paul Gallico below) and if you are a fan of Christian Dior’s New Look as well as Paris – it was quite delightful if not a little predictable plot-wise. Mr Rosanna gave me a framed Dior print for my birthday this year (further below) which is taking pride of place in our bedroom and an ode to all things Gallic.

It was busy down the locals’ end of Carlton last night and I now spend quite a bit of time in the suburb with work. My team has monthly lunches with all six of us having to find venues on a rotating basis. I booked Japanese restaurant Torissong last week and our meals served on a tray (further below) were delicious! I’ve spied Panda Hot Pot Carlton on the corner of Cardigan and Victoria Streets so that’s next on my list.

If you’re in Carlton, you can book tours for the Royal Exhibition Building domed rooftop – I am a fan of domes and Mr R and I got married under the dome at 333 Collins Street in the city many years ago now. Given the inclement weather, it may be safer to see Rone’s exhibition under cover at the Flinders Street station ballroom.

I’ve been wandering the streets of Ivanhoe today with Mr R taking time to stop and smell the roses including this beautiful one below in a neighbouring street. It’s great to see many haunted houses all decorated for Halloween and may it be a spooktacular occasion tonight. Enjoy tomorrow and stay dry!

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Modern life

If you’re a lover of Mid Century Modernism then you might be interested in a Heide Museum of Modern Art and Cinema Nova ticket offer to see a special afternoon screening of Eames: The Architect and The Painter film about husband and wife Charles and Ray Eames on Sunday 19 August.  Tickets of which include entry to see Design for Life: Grant and Mary Featherston – in many ways the Australian equivalent of the American furniture designer and his partner in life.

Meanwhile I have local friends who have put their modernist home in Rosanna (above and below) on the market if your budget allows for 7 figures.  They’ve poured their heart and soul into renovating their home over the past 10 years and are now ready to pass the baton.  I’ve celebrated a number of parties and one New Year’s Eve with them where the views from their upstairs clerestory windows and balcony in particular are breathtaking as well as the privacy and seclusion of their shaded courtyard and decked pool at the back.  If you’re wanting to make a long-term move into the area, this one’s for you.

Father’s Day is also nearly upon us and it’s worth getting your skates on if you’ve not already bought a present.  There are some great leather goods and other accessories available from OTAA, The Daily Edited, Status Anxiety, The Horse as well as All the Kings Men Fitzroy if you have a modern man in your life.  Have a great week!

 

Life is beautiful

As a school parent, I have to say that things have gotten increasingly more sophisticated over the years than just the average sausage sizzle to raise funds.  There is a food truck festival, mini market and moonlight cinema event being held tomorrow night at St Helena Secondary College in Eltham.  If it’s balmy as tonight, it will be a good one to go to.

Image via St Helena food truck festival, mini market & moonlight cinema

I was teasing one of my male work colleagues today about being a wing man for a friend at a singles event held last night at the Queen Victoria Melbourne Summer Night Market – apparently you wear red if you are on the look out for a potential partner.  Things have changed since my dating days…

Poster image via Cinema Nova

Poster image via WIkipedia

Monsieur Mayonnaise is about to screen at Cinema Nova and if you are an art lover, history or movie buff, you may be interested in this documentary about the late Georges Mora, (husband of Mirka Mora, art patron and owner of bohemian Cafe Mirka, Cafe Balzac and Tolarno Restaurant and Galleries) and his lesser known role in the French Resistance.  There is a special In Conversation event on Thursday 23 February at 6.45pm where Georges’ son and gallerist William Mora joins Heide Museum of Art curator Kendrah Morgan after the movie.  My favourite art house movie set in war-time is still Robert Benini’s Life is Beautiful.