Fifteenth star

Omicron seems to be everywhere at the moment – in the media, on our minds and for some unfortunate people, in our bodies as well. People in my inner circle who I’ve luckily not seen the past month have started succumbing to the dreaded virus and some of them don’t even know how or where they picked it up. They’re all double or triple vaxxed and most have had mild symptoms – there are some PCR testing sites now handing our rapid antigen tests so at least they’ve been able to confirm they actually have COVID.

Chanel exhibition at the
National Gallery of Victoria

I am hoping the current variant is peaking or near its peak as I feel very greatly for those working at the frontline – our healthcare workers, the police, childcare workers, as well as retail, hospitality, transportation and supply chain staff who have to carry out essential work but not been spared by COVID either directly contracting it or being a close contact and having to isolate.

Chanel brooch image via Artedeco

I’ve been directed to work from home not only this month but next as well so feel like I should be applying the same caution to my personal life and social activity. It means that I chose not to attend the Chanel exhibition at the NGV this past weekend despite having purchased tickets a while ago and I may cancel plans for next weekend just until things are less fraught. I feel this is a very small sacrifice to make compared with the challenges currently facing those working in our hospitals.

Chanel tuxedo bow necklace via Artedeco

A friend of mine did attend the Chanel show last week and while I’m not sure I’d ever buy something from Chanel even if I had the money, I do love some of the vintage Chanel pieces sold by Artedeco in Daylesford (and online). This costume brooch and necklace (above) have both caught my eye.

When I am ready to venture out again, I’d like to pay a visit to Casa Nata in Thornbury (because who doesn’t love a Portugese tart?) and retro-style Thornbury Espresso Bar (check out their Insta page!). I was also fascinated to discover the Regal Ballroom (the heritage-listed Northcote Theatre) where I had my wedding reception is being re-born as a live music venue seating 1500 people with an Italian Trattoria and rooftop bar. It reminds me I’m yet to visit the Thornbury Theatre, Thornbury Picture House or ninteenforty rooftop bar at the Rivoli Theatre in Hawthorn.

I think I’m a bit nostalgic about old picture theatres in general and have a similar love of vintage trains and train travel – my ultimate train trip would be the Art Deco Orient-Express from Venice to Istanbul but I was also reading about the new La Dolce Vita line in Italy which has more of a 60s/70s vibe and fit out. Locally, I know there’s been a long waiting list to travel on both The Ghan and Indian Pacific trains in Australia. Oh…to travel again somewhere exotic…

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Stay the course

Wow – a week can be a long time in politics and what a week it was. I’ve found it really interesting now working in the public sector remaining apolitical given I deal with people like myself who are there to serve the public, no matter the government of the day. Whether you swing left of right (or neither) in terms of politics, it’s not easy being a leader and in the case of NSW this week, the woman in the arena.

1 Rockbeare Grove Ivanhoe (and below)

It’s been obvious here in Victoria that people’s resolve has been sorely tested with home visits now a factor in a third of cases and other LGAs outside of the north and west being hotspots. It is a great pity -while I understand it has been desperately lonely for many not to have social contact with others – we are so close to the end and I just hope we can all hang on for that little bit longer and know the sacrifices we make today, will make all the difference tomorrow. Greater freedoms are only a matter of a few weeks away if we can hold our nerve and stay the course.

I’ve spent a lot of time outdoors again this weekend and the walking trails around here have been like Bourke Street – I’ve bumped into a number of local friends walking the Yarra trail along the old Boulevard from East Ivanhoe to the Warringal parklands in Heidelberg watching out for slithery friends now that it’s October.

1 Rockbeare Grove studio apartment

The spring real estate market is back in action and this 1920s house at 1 Rockbeare Grove in Ivanhoe sold yesterday. I love its period features with modern extension at the back but the extra wow factor is the studio apartment with its own separate entrance built on top of the garage – way cool. It was also Love Your Bookshop Day yesterday and I will have to visit Fairfield Books now that Andrews Books in Ivanhoe is no longer. I’m pleased that Eltham Bookshop too is still open as is Robinson’s Bookshop in Greensborough. I did finish The Labyrinth by Amanda Lohrey and have moved on to Lucky’s by Andrew Pippos. While I no longer have a room of my own, I also love the look of this coffee table book (below) ‘A room of her own’ – inside the homes and lives of creative women.

The Melbourne Fringe Festival is currently on in digital format until 17 October and I’m excited about Gabrielle Chanel. Fashion Manifesto exhibition at the NGV opening on 5 December. She is my all-time fashion hero and I can’t wait to visit – we all need something to look forward to.