Don't Think

Don't think that for one minute this'll be my dress code tomorrow.

For Australia's biggest day on the Racing Calendar.

The Melbourne Cup.



Mr Fascinata will be out, though. Making it up for everyone

who's not.



I'll be quietly beetling away at the chalkface.

Not looking at the likes of any of this.

Don't think that I abstained from purchasing orchids from the Society.

Today, I played around with my new orchids

temporarily in loco-parentis, then handed over

to those who can look after them. Properly.

This one's in one of Stephen Morris' hand-blown glass bowls

I had it for a million years, and I bought it when I could only afford to eat noodles

I've always enjoyed a sense of priority.

This one's showing off, in front of a little abstract painting by Starr.

Don't forget her Show's on!

And a red rose. Starr's again.

I've updated the House of Flora festive frock.

Here's a glimpse of the fabric. To be honest, I love it.

Here's another orchid story with an awkward ending.

I ended up having to do a rather over-compensatory still-life.

Nature morte. An urgent improvisation with Mr Fascinata's home-grown heirloom tomatoes.

Because I decapitated the bloom trying to remove the care tag.

Oh dear.

Thankfully, I still have these to cheer me on.

And my fading yellow rose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Makes an Effort

This is the effort my friend Starr went to for her Tupperware'd guests

catering cocktail themed 'do.
The event progressed swiftly, I think she had warned lovely Aimee, our consultant
that we wouldn't be recapping our favourite Tupperware moment or playing any memory games.
So we listened, ordered things we didn't really need and ate, laughed and shared some fun.
Nice. How it should be.
Anyone who says, "No I won't come to your Party, because I don't need Tupperware", is really missing the point, I say!

Mind you, I think the hostess with the mostess had a bit of help from lovely H,
who makes the most divine quality cakes ever.
Let me know if you want to order cakes iced or other for the silly season ahead of us.

Starr also has her one-woman Show coming up, this Friday.
Don't worry, you get to see it.
The invite's below. Hello, Flora!

Back whenever, I bought Starr this Limited Edition Phillip Starck Ghost Pink Louie Chair.
I saw it the other night at her Tupperware soiree.
Pride of Place, in the entrance.

Talk about susceptible. One minute I'm reading Vogue Living, the next minute I am
phoning all-over-Australia trying to track the said Limited Edition.
I like how, she and I both have chairs that no-one-is-allowed-to-sit-on.
Makes sense.

I didn't wear this Flora-One-of-a-Kind to the Tupperware Party.
It was still at Starr's, after the Alice in Wonderland Party.
Mr Fascinata and I had a few pink Champagnes and he warned me
seriously that, the headpiece might attract the wrong attention on our walk home.
Point taken.
Do you volunteer for any organisations?
I do, and I quite like it.
I'm just back from the Orchid Species Society gig on Mt Coot-tha.
What a great bunch of enthusiasts.

Try this slipper orchid on for size.

This spray reminded me of eggs.
Cracked and fried.

 

Everything you need to throw at orchids to make them bloom was there, too.
And plenty of sage advice on hand from the experts.
So willing to share their experiences.

Remember, they won't bloom for the faint-hearted.
You'll need passion, people.

Here's my forte.
Plating sandwiches, for the masses.

Caught up too, with some of Tricia Smout's lovely work.
Her Arachnid Web Artistry. A collaboration.
In and around the gardens, on Mt Coot-tha.
Just across the way, from the Orchid's Auditorium.

And I'll share more with you, soon.

Let me know if you need some ideas to start to do some volunteering.
I'm full of them.
And, quite like a bit of an effort.

 



 



In Black and White

I trotted out to the Creative Industries Gala at the Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove Campus.

And who knew that, zebras were such lovely posers!

I'd be lying if I said these dancers with a degree didn't steal the show!

How much frippery?

I particularly like their hooves.

They meant business.

On Halloween, too, no witch was getting near these lovely beasts.

 



 

Throw these Flora-One-of-a-Kind on your own head, if you want to steal the show.

They are mostly black and white.

 

 

 

 

Under a moon, in its gibbous phase, floating above Jupiter.

 





Community Service and Other

Good grief, I can't believe I'm off to a Tupperware party.

Tonight. 7pm.

I'm actually afraid. The logistics of working effectively with 28 adolescents,

 a different batch of workers 

every 70 minutes across my chalkface day,

and I'm smart enough that I can't have a late 'chalkface' night.

My party went for four hours............wonder when it'll finish?

Has anyone done the Maths?

But, my Tupperware social responsibility ensures that I'm there.

After all, it could be traced back to my fault-in-the first-place.

I've checked out Roberto Cavalli for Target.

This Flora-One-of-a-Kind would top-off a Cavalli.

And as a service announcement, I would like to say that, it's okay.

Came away with this soft cotton voile caftan-style top.

The polished black cotton jacket and the leopard print wrap and frilled dress are lovely.

But, I used restraint, people.

Also bought this vintage looking lozenge style neck piece from the University of Queensland's

Wednesday markets.

If you are at a University and you don't have such a market,

get one up and running.

I've taken every single orchid I own to our lovely chalkface librarian.

They are all hers, believe me.

And then, the other day I was astonished to see my puny, little, nutrition deprived rose

plant fashioning this:

I love how the universe works.

 

The hydrangeas are also blooming marvellous.

 

It's been a good week.

I've had incoming email correspondence from my cousin in Arizona, America.

And, can you believe it, another lovely gift of fabrics and trims from Gabrielle.

Fine, feathered frippery.

Gabrielle always says loveliness, like I hope it brings you so much joy.

 

Excited. Tommorow's this weekend is the Orchid Species Society Show,

doors open 8am Saturday 3 + Sunday 4 November.

Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens.