Sparks of Happyness - week 3

* Photo by ME*

*Bijoux ring (from Swatch) & I heart polarioids necklace (from Shana Logic)*

Another week has passed - I'm finding myself enjoying doing my weekly wrap more and more. I think everyone should try this - it's a refreshing exercise and a great way to realise just how amazing your life is :)

BLOC PARTY, BLOC PARTY, BLOC PARTY - I know I mentioned it last week but they were REALLY that good :) The second show - the one on Friday - I think was that much better than the 1st. They played Sunday, Waiting for the 7:18 and This Modern Love - I was in heaven. Crystal and I had one of the easiest "getting to the barrier" moments ever (only just behind our Coldplay efforts on their last Aussie tour). We waited in our car until the doors opened (it was raining), went to the toilets, got beers and then went and sat (thanks Festival Hall) near one of our friends who was in the front. When the crowd got up we weaved easily to the barrier - it was super weird. It was a beautiful, amazing night and I've been listening to Bloc Party heaps since.

Adelaide Soundwave in February - Jack's Mannequin (are you getting my obsession yet?) will be there and so will I! Me & Crystal bought our flights and tickets the week before last but this week I managed to get us some accommodation at the Miller Apartments near Rundle St Mall. Bonus is it's only costing us $60 each for the one night and I think it's 4 star. Now I have that organised it means that it's REALLY happening - I will be seeing Jack's Mannequin at least twice on his tour here - Sydney is still to be decided (it'll happen, I just need sideshows to be announced so I can figure out flights/costs).

Twitter - I joined this week and while I'm still figuring it out it seems like a lot of fun. Now all I need are friends to join so I can see it in complete action. It's like facebook status updates only I can access it from work ALL DAY. Nothing helps beat total boredom like something new and fun

New hair cuts and colours - that's where I was yesterday and the reason why this wasn't posted yesterday. I've lightened my hair to the lightest it has been in about 3 years. It's going to take some getting used to and I am going to have to adjust my makeup accordingly (I've perfected the dark hair + vibrant eye makeup) but I think I love it. I feel like each time I look in the mirror I am transported back to 2005 when I was in America working at my beautiful camp. I feel more summer-y which is perfect for the months that are coming up :) It's amazing what a change of hair colour can do for your whole personal wellbeing.

THIS - I love Gala Darling - everything about this girl is amazing! She is basically the inspiration behind this whole blog. I've always loved writing but I've sometimes felt a bit funny writing about myself online. I don't even remember how I stumbled upon her blog but I am so happy that I have - it's inspirational, original, beautifully written and her articles are helpful and a lot of fun. I have always tried to look at things in a positive light but I had been struggling lately - Gala's site arrived on my computer screen at the most perfect time.

Other things that sparkled through my world - visiting nieces (this always brings a smile to my face), funny songs, dancing with nieces, Melbourne weather (we went from hot hot hot to brrr cold - in one day), BOB EVANS (but more about him later), beautiful songs, AMAZING new music from The Killers, superb movies (but I've already written about THAT), making new Shana Logic orders, ROBOT PLUSHIES, new colours from Lime Crime (though it has led to hours of consideration staring at the computer screen trying to choose my next order), shopping centres getting decked out in Christmas decorations, thinking about summer, choosing the hotel you are going to stay at in Hawaii next summer (June/July 09), getting my work life organised again, giving music recommendations have having that person LISTEN to you (thanks Dave).

How was your week? Was it as beautiful and fabulous as mine?

Love & Sparkles

x x x

Brooke

Song for the moment = Bob Evans - Don't You Think It's Time

Film love: Australia

*oh Baz - you did it again *

I've just gotten home from watching one of the most beautiful movies I have seen this year.

No I'm not talking about Twilight (but give me a week and I will be) - I'm talking about Baz Lurhman's Australia.

I'm going to start this off with the fact that I am a Baz Lurhman junkie - I've loved every movie he has made so far - Strictly Ballroom, Romeo & Juliet, and ESPECIALLY Moulin Rogue. He is a master of the tragic love stories - the two people from different ends of the world falling in love and being forced apart by circumstances, family, life, beliefs or the world. I believe he is an amazing story-teller and an amazing filmmaker.

I'll be the first to admit that I went into the cinema excited - I was always going to like this movie. Even if the story wasn't great, I would love the way it was shot or if Nicole Kidman annoyed me I'd still love Hugh Jackman :) It didn't matter either way because it exceeded any expectation I held for it.

It starts off as your basic story of a "fish out of water" - English rose travels to Australia to sell her husbands’ cattle station only to be faced with corruption, manipulation, and a little mixed race Aboriginal boy who steals her heart. But then you realise that this movie has it all - it's a western, it's a love story, it's political, it's a war movie, it's a period piece - it has everything you would want in a movie.

It's beautifully shot with sweeping views of northern Australia throughout - the natural beauty of that area is like a bonus character of the movie.

While Hugh Jackman & Nicole Kidman shine in this movie it is the first time actor Brandon Walters who is a scene stealer. He does it with just a look, sometimes a few words, other times with boundless energy that you forget there is other people in the shot.

I won’t mention the story – I don’t want to give anything away. And don't even get me started on David Wenham - he's so brilliant I can't even talk about it.

I laughed, smiled, cried, cringed and cheered. It had Baz Lurhman written all over it and I loved it for that. It’s such a well crafted, well executed film and well timed film that the 2 ½ hours fly by - even without a toilet break :)

I do think that other countries might have a bit of trouble understanding some of the slang that is used in the film – cobber, bloke, sheila – but I think it was these little things that made me love it just that little bit more. I also think that this could be the reason why the reviews overseas have not been too favourable - to some Americans I think this movie may aswell be a foreign language film.

If anyone asks me I’ll tell them to see it – it’s so Australian it makes me smile and squee with happyness.

Have you seen Australia yet? What did you think? Are you going to see it?

Love & Sparkles

x x x

Brooke

Song of the moment = Jack's Mannequin - Doris Day

Why I love: December

Image of Andrew McMahon from Jacksmannequin.org

It is almost one of my favourite months of the year - DECEMBER! It is a much loved month for many people but in preparation for the joyful season I'm going to give you my top 5 reasons why I love December

1. Christmas time: I love Christmas time - who doesn't - I love the mass panic to find the perfect present, the crazy busy shopping centres, watching family members open their presents, receiving presents, turkey & chicken & lamb crackle at lunch & lots of leftover food for the days that follow Christmas dinner. I love the smell of REAL Christmas trees, decorating the house with Christmas decorations, wearing crazy Christmas jewellery & dressing up with tinsel. I think Christmas time this year is going to be even better because we will have 3 little kiddies (2 of which will KNOW who Santa is this year) and the whole family together (my sister and her husband are coming down from Sydney this year with the little niece). It's always a hectic, crazy time of the year but I LOVE IT - and when I purchase Lime Crimes new red glitter shadow it'll be complete :)

2. Summer weather: The heat starts rolling in but it's not at those extreme heats in December - this means it's still nice enough weather for us to enjoy barbeques in the backyard drinking beer and eating sausages with family and friends. It's still nice enough to go to the beach, have a picnic and sit in the sun without burning to a crisp in the summer heat.

3. Christmas Parties: dressing up, drinking, laughing - it's all part & parcel at Christmas parties.

4. December 17th: For some reason each year December 17th is a great day - some amazing international band decides to tour Australia and Melbourne gets them on December 17th. A couple of years back it was Green Day, this year amazingly it's Alicia Keys.

5. Summer shades & summer wardrobes: bring on those bright colours - I've assembled my summer colours for this year and December seems to be the time to bring them out. Bright make-up, bright clothes - I love wearing shorts & skirts & haviana thongs & sandals & light summer dresses & bright bold sunglasses (this year I want purple ones).

There is just so much to love about December - it's the ending of another year which means the beginning of a new one (der). It's the time of year where we reflect on the year we've had, start to plan for the year to come. It's the time to start thinking about new opportunities & new possibilities.

It's an exciting & frantic & fun time of the year - now that I'm no longer in direct retail I find myself loving December more & more.

Tell me - what's your favourite month of the year and why??

Love & sparkles

x x x

Brooke

Song of the moment = The Killers - Joy Ride

P.S I've signed up to twitter - I'm still figuring it out but add me so that I can see a point to it :)

Christmas sparkle list

This year I for Christmas I would like:

• a Macbook (pro preferably but I'm not fussy)
• a huge bow on a headband
• a sequined hoodie
• purlple sunglasses - with purple lenses
• lime crime makeup
• a purple heart belt
• a lightning bolt necklace
• a barcelona chair - in black
• a cute denim skirt
• sparlky heart earrings
• irregular choice shoes in US 9 or EU 40
• a stylish bum bag (for all the festivals to come)

I'm not asking for much really :)

Love & sparkles

x x x

Brooke

Song of the moment = Bloc Party - Waiting for the 7:18

Sparks of Happyness - week 2

* Bloc Party = sqee *

It's been a hectic week for me this week. Some of the week was frustrating but overall it was pretty amazing.

V Festival announcement - The Killers, Snow Patrol & Kaiser Chiefs in one day. I didn't think Australian festivals did that anymore! V Festival is in April but I already cannot wait. This is sure to be the festival of the summer. I hope Branden Flowers wears something shiny.

My sister's wedding - The family got on a plane (mum & dad drove) and headed to Sydney last weekend for my sister's wedding. I got to hang out with our little niece (who has gotten so big and cheeky), take beautiful photos, eat delicious breakfasts, drive a big Tarago rental car all weekend (I was like a soccer mum driving everyone around) and basically have a fun time with the family.

Buying tickets to make my summer fun - This week I splashed out and bought tickets to *deep breath* the Swell Season (Glen Mansard & Marketa Irglova from the movie Once) at the Palais in January, Kings of Leon at Rod Laver Arena in March, Soundwave festival in Adelaide (with flights) in February & V Festival in March. I also bought tickets to see the movies Australia, Twilight & High School Musical 3. My credit card took a beating but I think come summer time my need for live music is going to be satisfied!

Bloc Party concerts - I saw Bloc Party last night (for the 1st time in Australia, 4th time all up) and they are a fun, beautiful, energetic band. I think Kele has been getting dance lessons from Yannis (from the Foals), he was tearing it up onstage last night like I've never seen him do before. Me & my sister went together and started near the front until we were crushed beyond enjoyment so we headed out of the squishy sweaty boy area and danced at the side. I'm going again tonight and I hope that they play Pioneers.

My iPhone - Being away from a computer for 4 days while in Sydney would normally seem like such a strange and horrible thing, it cuts you off from your online world and that can seem frustrating. This is why I love my iPhone - it got a work out over the weekend (once I finally got reception on the thing - it felt like an IT Crowd moment "have you tried switching it off and on again"). I've said it once, I'll keep saying it - I LOVE APPLE PRODUCTS!

Honourable mentions - coming home and surprising Grandparents with visits to new granddaughters (who they hadn't met yet), coming home and being greeted by other cute nieces who you haven't seen in almost 2 weeks, taking the Grandparents to see Sydney Harbour Bridge & the Opera House, driving rental cars (I LOVE IT), making hot dogs at home and them tasting delicious (complete with American style mustard), finding new tv shows to love (how has it taken me so long to catch on to 30 Rock), Lime Crime Makeup (still), reconnecting with friends, dancing like a crazy person :)

Today I am relaxing, I have another day off work - I am going to spend my time watching Mamma Mia on dvd, going to the post office, cashing my tax return (yay) and then I'm getting ready for more Bloc Party fun tonight.

Love & sparkles

x x x

Brooke

Song of the moment = Bloc Party -Mercury

Film love: Twilight

* so close I can almost taste it *

There is not much I love more in life than a really great book. It's even better when the book gets made into a movie - and is made right. I've felt that way about the first 2 Harry Potter movies - they stuck so well to the book it made me happy (I started to lose faith after the last 2 but I have hopes that the 5th is going to restore my faith in the franchise).

I have been anticipating the release of Twilight since I read about the movie being made when I was still in England. I followed the casting decisions with baited breath and applauded the choice in actors for the characters I grew to love. I watched the MTV short clips each week until it all became too much for me and I had to stop and take a Twilight break :)

I know (!) I've read all the blogs raving about these books like crazy fan-girls but they really are that great.

I have always had a fascination with the legends of Vampires - heck what girl hasn't? I think the attraction between a vampire and a human in books is romantic and tragic and doomed to failure but it intrigues me to no end. Hey I'm a sucker for a beautiful immortal and a tragic love story.

I think this is why Bella and Edwards story appealed to me. I like the idea that some people are just meant to end up together - fate and all that - that their attraction goes beyond the normal conventions of life and love. It's just a nice thought.

I'm so very excited about December 7th - I'm going to eat cake and discuss all things Edward and Bella with my sister and my dear friend Julz. These books helped me starve away boredom on those long lonely train rides across Europe, they helped me keep my imagination alive while I was trying to sleep in that cramped dirty room we called home for 3 months in London. They are beautiful books and I am sure the movie is going to be something special. It's so close I can't stand to think about it. I've been avoiding all things Twilight movie related on the net because I know it's coming out soon in the USA - I don't want to read other peoples opinions on this one - I'm saving that decision for myself alone.

Tomorrow night I am going to see Bloc Party - I am excited. I am actually going to see them on Friday night too. I think I need these shows to be amazing and I know they will be. I haven't listened to their new songs much at all but I've seen what Kele can do onstage (even while sick and going against doctors orders to sing and play) so I have no doubts about the spectacle to come :)

Super love and sparkles

x x x
Brooke

P.S The V Festival has made me so very happy - The Killers & Snow Patrol & Kaiser Chiefs. Summer is going to be filled with happy days :) Now all I need is some Jack's Mannequin sideshows

P.P.S I have to buy Kings of Leon tickets tomorrow - someone asked me if I was going and I laughed. Yes I am a fan, Yes I have been to every show they have played in Melbourne since Big Day Out 2006 so what is going to change there? Just because other people now know who they are doesn't make me the kind of fan to ditch them. I love everything about Kings of Leon - from their crazy pasts to their old albums even to the fact they have new fans - I just don't quite understand how this new album made them so huge (it's not their best album). The thing I love most about Kings of Leon is their live shows - I'm not giving that up because they are playing in bigger stadiums now, not for anything.

Song of the moment = Jack's Mannequin - Caves

Sparks of Happyness - week 1

Andrew McMahon/Jack's Mannequin - *squee*

Think of 5 things to be thankful and happy about this week and write it down. You'll soon see it's been a fantastic week!

New baby nieces - It's been mentioned already but my oh my it's so lovely to be able to meet a person in their first day in the world. It's a crazy and amazing and beautiful thing.

Jack's Mannequin touring Australia in February - I can hardly contain myself when I even think about this. Anyone who knows me knows the love I have for this band (well for Andrew McMahon in particular). The last time I saw them was way back in 2006 when I was on my second camp adventure. I flew from San Jose California to New York for 1 night JUST to see him support a (lame) band. I also met him that day and it was a beautiful surreal overwhelming experience. I am now planning to attend a couple of shows in different states - so far (if he announces sideshows - he's playing a festival) if all goes to plan it'll be 8 shows in a week. But we are at least looking at 6 shows in a week. OMFG! My stomach does a little flip of excitement every time I think about this. Smiles and love all around today due to this!

British India shows - It doesn't matter how many times I see this band live I still love them. I've been going to their shows since 2005 (I think - possibly eariler) and they are just an amazingly fun band live. It doesn't matter that I have seen them so many times, every time I do it brings a smile on my face. It's fun to watch a band grow - I remember shows when there maybe 50 people seeing there to see them - my how the times have certainly changed.

New make-up - Lime Crime Make-up is as good as was expected. I might go into a bit more detail in a couple of days time. Just KNOW it's bright, it's colourful, it's AMAZING!

Long weekends - It was Melbourne Cup weekend this past weekend and while I had to work 9 - 3pm on Saturday I had the following 3 days off. It was splendid and relaxing. I went shopping on Sunday (for Crystal's b'day present), visited my new niece on Monday (twice) and relaxed with the TV watching Phantom of the Opera. It was nice to relax a bit and already it's almost the end of the week. I didn't bet on the race so I didn't win any money - but on the plus side I didn't lose any money :) I love watching the fashions on the field but am usually disappointed in the coverage on the TV - they don't show enough of the dresses or shoes!

Things that also sparkled through my world (but just missed the top 5): New albums from Razorlight that don't disappoint, more new headbands with bows, cleaning out my make-up storage and finding brushes that I thought were long gone, new lip glosses that taste like lollies, more tours from fun bands (Fall Out Boy, N.E.R.D, & Black Kids), anticipation of festival announcements (the build up can sometimes be more fun that the announcement - with the exception of Jack's Mannequin OH MY), waking up to a cute niece in my bed, dancing with cute nieces, potato gem fights, fantastic new films from directors who have been having a bad time of late (Rock 'n Rolla), finding new places to shop online and the Aussie dollar slowly gaining value again.

It's NOVEMBER already! I can't believe it. When I think of what I've done this year already it's hard to believe that it is almost over. There is still so much to look forward to before the year is out.

Happy weeks are good weeks :)

Love and sparkles

x x x
Brooke

Song of the moment = Jack's Mannequin - The Resolution

This is Evie

I didn't think that my first "real" post on here would be about my family. But things happen in life that are so unexplainably exciting that it is just impossible to not shout it from the rooftops (or in this case share it with the world wide web).

My sister-in-law gave birth to another beautiful niece this morning. It's the fourth niece that I have and the happyness you feel when you first meet this teeny tiny baby doesn't diminish on the fourth one :)


She is so adorable and little and when I look at her it makes my heart swell up and it feels like it is going to explode with glee. You just want to kiss and hug her but she's so small that you don't want to break her. You want to protect her and make everything ok for her the moment you see her.

How is it that you can love someone so much when you have only just met her?

Life and all its possibilities astounds and astonishes me everytime.

Ladies and gentlemen I give you Evie Millah Jagoe - the newest addition to an already large and beautiful family.





Love and sparkles

x x

Brooke

A new home to rest my thoughts

Welcome to Blogspot Brooke.

It's time to start writing again.

x x