The Gratitude List: 2013 you've been so good

I can barely begin to imagine that 2013 is almost over. This year has been so good to me. I've been on so many adventures and I feel so grateful for all of the experiences I've had this year. I have had massive, mind blowing highs and I've spent more time smiling and succeeding that I thought was possible.

I think it's easy to get caught up in the end of year madness but it's great to sit down and think about the things that you are grateful for from this year. Send out a THANK YOU to the universe and make the decision that next year is going to amazing.

2013 was especially good to me so I've decided to put together my final gratitude list for 2013 with the things I've been grateful for throughout the year.

1. The live music I've seen and the amazing artists I've witnessed



It's easy to be grateful when my list of artists I've seen looks like this

Maximo Park / The Hives / The Killers / Childish Gambino / Big Day Out Festival (multiple bands) / Bloc Party / British India / The Kooks / Kristin Chenoweth / Idina Menzel / Jay Z / Justin Timberlake / Beyoncé / Bastille / William Beckett / Foals / The Basics / Franz Ferdinand / Muse / Alicia Keys

2. Travelling the world



This year I've been lucky enough to travel to

London / Dubai / Cancun / New York / Toronto / Anaheim (Disneyland) / Los Angeles / Bali / Gold Coast

A lot of my travel adventures have been through work and I've visited some absolutely stunning places with the best people. I loved every trip I've been on and I know they wouldn't have been as great had it not been the people I travelled with.

3. My family



But seriously, if your nieces and nephews were this cute you'd be grateful too.

4. My Black Milk collection



I've spent this year in lycra as my Black Milk collection has grown to ridiculous proportions. I love that I can wear something crazy and ridiculous and feel so comfortable and happy. I am grateful for the confidence their clothing gives me.

5. A little bit of everything else.



It has been so hard trying to reduce the things I'm grateful for into 5 points. I have had so many great experiences this year. There have been ups and downs but this post is about finding the things that have made me smile this year. I have shared this year with so many great friends and family and I am happy to look back at 2013 and think this was a lucky, fun filled, adventurous year for me.

Have you taken a look at your 2013 yet? Share your links below if you've posted about it - I'd love to see what's been making you smile this year

Bring on 2014 and another outstanding year.

 - Brooke

I'm BATMAN

Am I the only person looking at this lineup and almost dying from absolute happiness? I could care less about the RHCP but as I read the rest of the lineup on Sunday night I literally squealed and almost threw my laptop across the lounge room as I jumped in my seat.

THE KILLERS ARE COMING BACK TO AUSTRALIA!!!!!! 

*/brain explodes*

February 21st 2010 was the last time they were here. I was at their last show of their Day & Age tour in Melbourne (read about that here) and I have missed them terribly ever since.

Mr Flowers did not tour his solo music here in Australia so we have had to read reviews and be extremely jealous of all the shows and tours that we have not experienced in the past 3+ years. 

I CAN'T WAIT!!! I will be buying my tickets on Thursday morning (my b'day) and am going to try and convince (it won't take much) my sister that we need to attend more than 1 show. We will probably aim for the Adelaide BDO as it will limit the possibility for clashing sideshows.

The best thing about this line up is that there is plenty of other bands that I'm excited to see (either again or for the first time). Vampire Weekend, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Foals, Crystal Castles, CHILDISH GAMBINO (Troy Barnes aka Donald Glover will be in MY city!) and Alabama Shakes. SO much talent. This is my favourite BDO lineup that I have seen in YEARS.

What a great start to my birthday week :) 

On Thursday I have the day off work for my b'day and while I've been feeling under the weather this week with a head cold I am determined to have a fun day. I have tickets to see The Dark Knight Rises in Gold Class (hello recliner chairs) with my sister and then we'll go shopping and have some lunch and then it's dinner time with the family. 

I have already re-watched the last two Batman movies (Christian Bale versions) in preparation for the next installment. It's going to be INTENSE. Batman is my favourite super hero (I've asked my Mum for a Batman b'day cake this year - I hope she delivers).

I'M THE BATMAN

 - Brooke

The past couple of months

One of the things I had on my 50 things list this year is to take a photo a day. I'm proud to say that I have managed to do this everyday this year so far! Normally I get bored or distracted and lose interest but I've been able to keep doing this because of the Photo365 app that I downloaded on my iPhone. 

To catch up on things that have been happening here's a quick photo collage of a bunch of things that have been happening in my life the past few months.

It involves multiple hair colours, black milk, going to the football, adventures with my family & friends, lots of different nail polishes and many many other things.

Consider yourselves caught up in my life. Coming up next - NEW ZEALAND

 - Brooke

P.S My hair is purple again - it feeeeeels sooooo goooood!!!! 

Laneways filled with Horrors

Another weekend, another music festival. This time it was the festival described by one of my festival buddies as "so indie it hurts"- the Laneway Festival.

I went to Laneway Festival last year and wasn't super impressed by the festival but when given the opportunity to attend for FREE, I couldn't resist. Mostly because of one band - The Horrors. 

I could re-count the tales from the day but I'm pretty sure it'd go down much like my last post (about Big Day Out) - hot, great bands (for those who care, I saw - Laura Marling, Portugal The Man, Cults, Feist, The Horrors, The Drums & M83), great friends and Calippos - so instead I'll just write about The Horrors and my undying all consuming love for them.

Let's re-wind about 5 or 6 years while I was still working at JB Hi Fi. I was at that stage in my life where I was still discovering new bands. I was also pretty obsessed with The Mighty Boosh and I read an interview where Noel Fielding interviewed this extremely strange and peculiar band - The Horrors. 

I knew we had received their new EP at work so when I was back at work I had a listen - from that moment I was hooked. Their sound was unlike anything I had heard before - it was creepy, catchy, bizarre and oh so good. Since then, each album that they have released has been an evolution of their music style and they've somehow managed to become even more haunting and beautiful.

The very first time I saw them perform was at the Glastonbury Festival in 2007. It was manic, frantic and brilliant. They were crazy good live - engaging, mesmerising and delightfully weird. I was also really lucky to see them play at Electrowerks in Islington London that same year. Of all the shows I saw while in London that year this one stands out as one of my all-time favourites. It was a small (tiny) venue and I can still feel the energy coming from both the band and the crowd. Electric and mind-blowing.

I've been lucky enough to see them live now 6 times and it's been pretty cool to see their transformation - from garage punk weirdos to all out indie cool (sans make-up but still oozing that Gothic charm). Every time I see them live it's a highlight. They draw me in until it's all I think about, and all I listen to.

Now it's time for you to get sucked in too - some of my favourite songs from each album

"Gloves" - from Strange House

"Who Can Say" - from Primary Colours

"Still Life" - from Skyring 

Aren't they magnificent? 

 - Brooke

P.S I am now up to 3 of 10 new bands (who I have gone out of my way to see live) for my 50 things list!! WOO HOO!!!

Big Day Out Festival Melbourne

Sunday. What a day. A hot sweaty mess of a day but a fabulous day spent with great people and amazing bands.

I decided 2 years ago after a pretty lacking Big Day Out festival that I would only attend if the lineup was right. This year the lineup felt right. With as much controversy that has surrounded the festival this year the line up offered me a nice mix of talented musicians ready to entertain me in the heat.

It was such a hot day I spent around $20 on Calippo icy poles. Worth every penny. We also found the sprinklers and soaked ourselves after a few different bands. We also found an easy way to cool ourselves down - pour cold water over your feet, you'll thank me after you've tried it.

The first band we saw for the day was Cage The Elephant. A little background for you - 3 years ago when my sister and I were about to drive down Highway 1 in California she purchased their album from a Borders store in San Francisco (I naturally purchased the latest Jack's Mannequin album). She had been raving to me about this band that we didn't get a chance to see at the Lollapalooza Festival that we had just attended (they clashed with Kaiser Chiefs). We listened to that album for about 50% of the drive down to Los Angeles and I was hooked. This festival was the first time they've toured Australia and the first time we've managed to see them live. They were worth the wait - WOW! (Second photo was taken by my sister Crystal - and no he's not on the stage, he's standing ON the crowd after crowd surfing to the middle of the tent)

We went to their solo show last night and it was SOOOO good I think I need to write about it in a separate post.

We also saw The Vaccines, Architecture in Helsinki, Kasabian and Noel Gallagher (right decision over Kanye West) among other bands. The most perfect way to end our day was singing "Don't Look Back in Anger" with Noel Gallagher.

My festival festivities *cringe* are not over yet. I am lucky enough to be headed along to the Laneway Festival in Melbourne on Saturday to spend some time with some more glorious bands.

 - Brooke

P.S Things are going to look different around here soon - my new blog design is almost ready for installation by the lovely Kaelah from Little Chief Honeybee. I'm SO excited for the change. It looks so much more like me - she's AMAZING at what she does!!!

P.P.S For those obsessed with following the casting news for the new Les Miserables movie adaptation will be SO happy to hear that Taylor Swift is OUT and Samantha Barks is IN for Eponine. I was lucky enough to see her perform this role on the West End 2 years ago when I was in London. She is absolutely PERFECT!!! I'm relieved and happy (there's a cute little interview with her HERE)

Life right now

This is what my life has been like in the past weekend. I've been drowning in a sea of boxes that just don't seem to be disappearing fast enough (probably because I've all but given up right now). In other words we moved house on Saturday.

We were supposed to move house on Sunday but those plans changed on Friday when our removalist (my brother in law) had a job booked suddenly for late Sunday afternoon. This would have been ok had I actually began packing before Friday night. 

Friday night was pretty mad - I was up late trying to pack up my stuff, failed and slept. Saturday was pretty hectic too. I feel like my brain is all over the place at the moment and I've barely got anything organised. 

One thing that is sorted is my cd's - this puts a little bit of relief and it allows me to breathe a little easier while in my room. Only a little though.

This weekend is set to be amazing. I'm going to see Kasabian and The Vaccines on Saturday night and then I'm off to the Big Day Out on Sunday. Though I'm starting to freak out a little bit about which headliner I'll be seeing. I have two choices - Kanye West (who I saw in July at Splendour in the Grass) or Noel Gallagher and the High Flying Birds (who is pretty much amazing). I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO... Help!

If you couldn't tell already - my brain is a little fried so I'm going to stop here.

Much love 

 - Brooke

Monkeys, kookiness and lists

Last week as I previously mentioned was a super busy week. Not only was I back at work after a bit of a break over New Years but I also attended 4 different gigs. Every year in Australia there are a few music festivals and the week after New Years we are inundated with amazing shows that I can never pass up.

This year I went to 2 x Arctic Monkeys shows (supported by Miles Kane), The Kooks and then CSS. All of these bands I have seen before so I can't count them as new bands, but they were all so fabulous. 

It was so nice to see these bands again as they have all evolved and grown as performers since the last time I've seen them. I first saw Arctic Monkeys back in 2007 when they headlined Glastonbury and also saw The Kooks and CSS at the same festival. They were all still relatively new bands back then so I think the fact that I'm still willing to buy and listen to their music and go to see them live is pretty impressive (I didn't realise that I saw all three at Glastonbury back then until I was typing this - weird).

These photos are just a few iPhone snaps I took at the shows - not the greatest quality but I'm hanging to get a new point and shoot camera so they'll have to do for now. I'm hoping I can get a new one before I attend the "Big Day Out" festival at the end of the month. 

I've also been seriously considering #12 on my 50 things list and I may have just found the most perfect image. 

The original image on the left is from (surprise surprise) Jack's Mannequin's latest album art and it has pretty much everything I could desire - cat, asterisk, simple but beautiful. I don't know if it looks better "normal" or if it were more a line image (hence the inverted image) - thoughts?

I have had it in my mind for YEARS that I've wanted the asterisk somewhere on my body - I read an interview with Andrew about the meaning of the symbol and his band and his meaning made sense. It is inspired by a quote from Siddartha "the river is everywhere", the asterisk's is the lines that represent life and all the things around you, and everything intersects meaning everything and everyone is connected uniting the universe. Now I have to work up the courage to get it done.

Wish me luck 

 - Brooke

2011 was...

The year I dyed my hair purple:

The year I saw many many amazing bands:

CLICK TO KEEP READING....

New Years Goal

New Years is a time where people make resolutions - this year I've decided to not make resolutions to change things about myself because I don't think I ever stick to them. I've decided to create a list of things I would like to do in the year 2012. I figure if I write them all down then I can use this year to try and achieve as many of these things as possible.

50 things to do in 2012 (in no particular order):

1. Move out of home
2. Rescue and love a kitten from the RSPCA
3. Watch all seasons of Mad Men
4. Read 50 new books
5. Read the Lord of the Rings Trilogy
6. Watch all three extended edition Lord of the Rings movies in 1 day
7. Attend San Diego Comic Con 2012
8. Have a Mexican food dinner party
9. Watch a sunrise
10. Watch a sunset
11. Dye my hair blue
12. Get a tattoo
13. Fold 1000 Origami Cranes
14. Go on a roadtrip with friends
15. Spend a week without Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / any internet that isn't work related
16. Go Zorbing
17. Lay in a hammock
18. Have a fancy dinner party
19. Shoot a gun
20. Turn myself into a cartoon character
21. Swim with a dolphin
22. See a movie at the drive in
23. See a movie at the Rooftop/Outdoor Cinemas
24. See 5 musicals
25. Attend a sporting event in the USA
26. Watch the Godfather trilogy
27. Get my fortune told
28. Swim with Great White Sharks
29. Learn to say "hello" in 20 languages
30. Take pictures in a photo booth
31. Paint a picture
32. Write to my favourite bloggers
33. Watch all Harry Potter movies
34. Re-read all Harry Potter books
35. Have a Ryan Gosling movie marathon
36. Dance like a maniac
37. Use a hotel bed as a trampoline
38. Wear glitter eyeliner for a week
39. Buy a new pair of Irregular Choice shoes
40. Take a segway tour
41. Get a record player
42. Expand my record collection by 40
43. Update and re-design my blog
44. Build and sleep in a blanket fort
45. Watch 20 black & white films ("classics")
46. Go to or have a dress up party
47. Travel to 10 new cities
48. Take a photo every day for 366 days (using my iphone)
49. Go to a zoo
50. See 10 new bands live (not including support bands) 

There we have it. I have 52 weeks and it begins today.

Anyone else made any kinds of lists or resolutions for this year? I think having these goals are going to help make 2012 a fabulous year full of adventure and fun. 

Happy New Year!

 - Brooke

Christmas 2011

Christmas. Can we believe it's over already? I can hardly believe that Christmas has come and gone and it's almost 2012. 

I had a lovely time at home with family eating far too much food (which seems to be the norm) and enjoying watching nieces FREAK out with every gift they opened. I scored some amazingly thoughtful gifts including a Mocking Jay pin (!!!!!!), Griffindor scarf (!!!!!!!) and a silver globe necklace (that should hopefully arrive tomorrow) plus other awesome things.

This was one of the most relaxing Christmas's that I've had in the past few years. There weren't any dramas and my Grandma was super well and happy and LOVED the massive photo frames that we put together for her. Last Christmas she was really sick so it was extra special to have her happy and healthy this year enjoying Christmas lunch with the family.

I hope everyone else had an amazing Christmas and got some special gifts. I'll leave you all with my Christmas gift to you - THE HOBBIT TRAILER (IDK why I didn't post this as soon as I watched it - I still don't have the words to describe how happy/ecstatic/crazy this trailer makes me). Enjoy

 - Brooke

Christmas Wishlist 2011

Christmas Wishlist 1 by baaarooke featuring a heart necklace

It's that time of year again. CHRISTMAS WISHLISTS!!!

I'm actually dying for the Blue Galaxy swim from Black Milk (as I mentioned A LOT) but they don't have it in the shop anymore - I'm hoping I can score one on Thursday in their museum sale (fingers crossed). 

I don't have a huge wishlist this year - I could maybe add a few different things to this image but it was tough enough filling this small image. 

 - Brooke

Black Milk Obsession

Obsessed with Black Milk you say? I'd be inclined to agree.

It didn't take much and this is not the entire collection that I have acquired in the past couple of months (note: since September) and I'm sure I'll add to the collection again soon (since they're having a crazy museum - old collections - sale on Thursday). Currently I'm dying for a Blue Galaxy Swim, I could get the purple but I'm worried it'll clash with my purple hair. 

I'm so happy to have added Black Milk to my wardrobe - it adds a little bit of spice and colour and amazingness every time I wear them. 

I was contemplating wearing the outfit in the last photo to my work Christmas party tomorrow night - the theme is "A Touch of Christmas". I could always say I'm Jack Skellington and I'm trying to help Santy Clause :) I think I'm going to go with the Mario Watchmen Swim since my family had a less than encouraging response to my idea. What do you guys think? Should I be brave?

Is anyone else as excited as I am that it's December already? I'm so excited because that means it's now ok to blast my She & Him Christmas album without weirdness. 

Happy December friends

 - Brooke

P.S Mind the iPhone/Instagram photos (follow me @baaarooke) but this is about the only images I have of myself wearing these beautiful clothes.