The Café Terrace on the Place du Forum *

Towards the artificially lit terrace of a popular coffee house,  facing south, into the enforced darkness of the rue du Palais. Beyond this is the now Musée Lapidaire. Towards the right Van Gogh indicated a lighted shop and some branches of the surrounding trees surrounding, yet he omitted the remainder of some Roman monuments. Being the first painting in which he featured starry backgrounds, Van Gogh mentioned the Café Terrace painting in a letter written to Eugène Boch on 2 October 1888.

Arles, September 1888

Met Gala 2013 *

Since 1948, an annual ball is held in NYC to celebrate the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art fashion exhibit at the Costume Institute. Considered to be one of the most exclusive red carpet events in the fashion world, it was undoubtedly a "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" affair on 6 May 2013. The exhibition incorporates 100 designs from fashion archives to document the presence of punk on the runway since the times of the Sex Pistols, Blondie and Vivienne Westwood, as well as recognising its ongoing influence today.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Giles Deacon

headpiece: Philip Treacy

(single & fabulous SATC)

Blake Lively

Gucci

(xoxo gossip girl)

Anne Hathaway

Valentino

(devil wears prada, but not on this occasion)

Anna Wintour

Chanel

(when you organise the event, who cares about the theme? apparently Wintour claims pink is the colour of punk)

Jennifer Lopez

Michael Kors

(no longer jenny from the block)

Kate Beckinsale

Alberta Ferretti

(from underworld to serendipity)

Nina Dobrev

Monique Lhuillier

(lady of the night, so says the vampire diary anyway)

Two Queens *

Still sorely missed,
one of the great fashion minds of our times.
Accompanied by one of the great fashionistas of our times.
Caught in the moment, draped in scottish tartans,
strong black accents and a magical omnipresent beauty.

Met Gala 2006

Alexander McQueen & Sarah Jessica Parker

Thomas Jefferson *

"Determine never to be idle.

No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time

who never loses any.

It is wonderful how much may be done

if we are always doing."

The two sides to Thomas Jefferson.
All men are created equal - 
but are they really?
A distinguishing factor is one's determination & discipline.
No time for mundane, only time for essentials.
Give time, invaluable time.

Mather Brown, 1786

The dark side of Thomas Jefferson

Charis Tsevis, 2012

Sistine Chapel ceiling *

At the commission of Pope Julius II, Michelangelo c.1508-1512 painted this extraordinary masterpiece which represents the cornerstone of High Renaissance Art. It cloaks the mystique & secrecy of Papal Conclaves.

woac *

fashionable art is a
work of artistic craftsmanship
worthy of intellectual property rights.

The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage *

I am a place with immense substance and story,
where everyone can achieve their glory.
A masquerade shall be my term,
where you can be anyone
from Athena, Bottura, Jobs, Condezz
to Denning LJ before we adjourn.

life is a Stage *

The Rehearsal of the Ballet Onstage

Edgar Degas (1834-1917)

Halloween 2012 *

There is no rest for the wicked, 

especially when darkness is upon us. 

Thank you Kev for being a crazy host 

and organising a haunted gathering at his residence.

An eventful night of weird & wacky happenings indeed...

murdered victim, nurse, school girl

preparing for the worst, hoping for the best

maid, maverick (top gun), nurse, ryan gosling (drive)

team up to ward away evil

female victims

panda vanishes while a psycho watches them from behind

panda

bearing pizza rather than eating bamboo. now that is weird!

murdered victim, nurse

sad to choose between 'trick or treat'

murdered victim, panda & death uncovered

school girl, maid

school girl, nurse

shot with espresso Patrón

painting out to be a strangely colourful night thusfar

murdered victim meats Death

we salute you good bye for now, to be continued...

when I arrived home, I discovered a butcher knife in my car.

how freaky!

The Grounds of Alexandria *

"Each origin has its own flavour characteristics

Brazil is sweet & woody;

Colombia is smoky with spicy overtones;

Ethiopia is wildly sharp with fruit undertones;

India is rich & syrupy;

and Uganda is aniseed with dark chocolate."

After several visits I believe it is time for a post dedicated to their coffee which is made with skill & precision. Rotating single origins, constantly changing blends and specifically selecting beans by seasonality has yielded great tasting coffee. In the Research Facility different beans, roasts and blends are tested to create a rich, aromatic and balanced range. 

menu

soy macchiato

(espresso hit all the right spots making most green with envy. 

smooth concentrated dark chocolate tones presented in a petite coffee cup)

cinnamon dust was a unique finishing touch

carrot cake

(similar to Luxe Espresso, yet more refined in taste & presentation)

coffee art

feel free to leave your truck at the front,

of if you're lucky, you may find parking along nearby streets

The Grounds of Alexandria

Building 7A, 2 Huntley Street

Alexandria NSW 2015

+61 2 9699 2225

Thanks- from the Future me *

"The difference between who you are

and who you want to be,

is what you do.

Do something today

that your future self will thank you for."

Once again, I am guilty of neglecting my blog.

Recently I have been preoccupied making job applications and studying for College of Law. Yes... one more week and I will be finished! (On a side note- whoever told me the course was a breeze clearly was unreliable. But I must admit it is very interesting to apply practical legal skills to the test!)

Having returned from NYC now, I wish for nothing more than to spend unlimited hours posting up every single amazing food find that we uncovered over there. See below for a sneaky peak of NYC and for what is to come. Proper posts will progressively start as of next Friday. 

Promise xox*

Times Square

Starbucks- everywhere

Shake Shack

 

Vending Machines- everywhere

Cookies

Magnolia Bakery

Laduree

per se

Daniel NYC

The MET

I <3 NY!

"The First Emperor: China's Entombed Warriors" and Eurobay*

"The underground army of China's First Emperor 

is one of the most spectacular archaeological discoveries of modern times. 

A story of Qin Shihuang's quest for immortality continues to unfold 

through the ongoing excavation of his entombed army..."

When the weather forecast predicted a humid and windy day with isolated showers, the last thing on my mind was to be outdoors. The perfect escape? Touring the Art Gallery of NSW's latest exhibition on China's Entombed Warriors! I was transported back into the past to discover the story of the First Emperor's brief but revolutionary rule, which was as compelling as any in history or in fiction.

Bronze Chariot drawn by Four Horses

Qin Dynasty in 221-206BCE, Qin Shihuang Tomb

Yongzhong Bell & Bo Bell

Spring and Autumn Period: Duke Wu's Reign in 697-678BCE

Representations of Charioteer and War Chariot drawn by four horses

Thank you to the Art Gallery of NSW for presenting such a wonderful exhibition that showcased a significant part of Chinese cultural history!

Some unique souvenirs to remember the occasion:
(Exhibition pamphlets; paper fold-outs of a general's breastplate, cavalry horse and warrior)

Now that was a very interesting and culturally enriching experience, 

but I hear you ask "where is the food?!"

~ ~ ~ 

Art Gallery NSW
Art Gallery Road

The Domain, Sydney
(02) 9225 1700

~ ~ ~

EUROBAY*

After leaving the gallery, we headed to Eurobay for a late afternoon snack. Situated along the beachside strip of The Grand Parade in Brighton-Le-Sands, the panoramic water views was a nice conclusion to a relaxing day.

 

Euro Chips

Thick cut potato chips in a Mediterranean blend of herbs, spices & tangy Euro sauce

Chicken Skewers

Paprika rubbed with Romesco sauce

As daylight waned, and night concealed the water views... I decided to have a closer inspection of the quirky interior decor. Hanging on the walls was a collage of photoframes displaying some very random items; old magazine clippings, coinage from foreign currencies, cartoon strips, and even a Prada authenticity card!* 

~ ~ ~

Eurobay Cafe Bar

86 The Grand Parade
Brighton-Le-Sands
(02) 9597 3300

~ ~ ~