First day

I had my first lesson(ish) of VCE art today and I have so many ideas it's not funny! Watercolours will happen easily - I don't really have to plan my paintings - but with my photography I have a bunch of ideas - I'm thinking fairytales :) and, of course, this means that Bea will be modeling for me (once again) plus possible others! I can't wait to get stuck into it - and my new workbook!
I thought that, considering I still have some time at the moment, I should take advantage of it and do a post considering soon I probably won't be able to do quite as many posts..
So, an update of "The Mortal Instruments" Series: I am on the second book - and have almost finished. What with having found a spoiler from the third book (I think) the other day, I can't wait to get to that bit! But I can't seem to find the third book anywhere! How did this happen?!
So many ideas for art.. I think I'll be taking some inspiration from the legendary Annie Leibovitz - what a legend!

¤ Sar  x

Back to school..

Wow, I have literally had no time to do a post today but I feel like I'm neglecting my blog.. However, now that I'll be back at school as of tomorrow(!) I know that I won't be able to do a post a day as I have been since I first made this blog.
Scary! Year 11.. I don't feel like I should be in Year 11 - so weird! I've got all my books and things ready to go in my bag so I'm all ready.. but it's still weird to be going back and to be doing VCE!


Well, last night a friend of mine came over and stayed the night so we watched a bunch of Glee! And during episodes we checked the tennis - of course :) I love, love, love Glee - I currently have the songs stuck in my head.. It's like the soundtracks are going through my head (haha).

It looks like I'll be able to do both painting and photography for art this year! Yay! I'm so glad because I have a LOT of ideas for both! (Yes, the photos involve Bea) Can't wait to start! Especially now that I've got a new workbook!

¤ Sar  x

'O' is for... "Oh, wow!"

I can barely contain myself from laughter.. I really do adore Ellen Degeneres - she really is just so, so funny. Her scheming - scheming? Never.. - and games and all the little things she gets people to do on her show make me laugh to no end.. and this video is one of these little "schemes".. Dennis Quaid appeared as a guest and she decided to get him to say whatever she liked to a delivery guy who was delivering food - of course, there were hidden cameras. Have a look at the video - it is hilarious!

Here's another I found .. :)


I also just found a great quote (yes.. on Polyvore..) from "Pirates of the Caribbean" said by Captain Jack Sparrow ...

"You can always trust a dishonest man to be dishonest, it is the honest man you should not trust, for you never know when he would be dishonest."

I do love that movie..


Federer and Tsonga are both through to the next round! Yay! :)


I found a massive spoiler today in the series that I'm reading at the moment - but it's good! I'm so glad about it.. I was hoping it would happen but still.. I don't like spoilers in books that much!

Tonight I'm planning on watching some tennis and Glee with a friend of mine - and maybe making something delish for dessert :)


¤ Sar  x

P.S Yes, the title of this post is a Friends quote :) and Nadal lost tonight!! :(

Alannah and Arabella

Alannah Hill is just about my most favourite designer EVER. Have I ever mentioned that? She's amazing - I love her use of colours and pretty textures like lace and tulle (my favourite materials) and just her overall incredible sense of fashion and design. I had a few vouchers to use recently and luckily she was having a sale! :) I bought a pair of gorgeous, long, black, patterned tights, a pair of knee-high, black socks with white spots on them and a pair of little ankle socks (that were more like short tights) - pink with a pretty cream pattern on them. I wore the last pair I mentioned for the first time the other day and they were toooo pretty :) I also bought a pretty little black and white singlet .. sigh :) I adore stripes at the moment..
Another of my favourite designers is Arabella Ramsay.. sigh :) Her designs and the pieces of clothing she puts together are so unique - there's something about them that's hard to describe .. maybe a little bit eccentric? But, so gorgeous! During a sale a couple of years ago, I bought a beautiful, blue, cropped jacket with big, white buttons and a pretty little collar. Stunning, I tell you.

I don't know about you, but I love this outfit - especially the short-sleeved leather jacket! AH! A pink leather jacket.. sighhhh :)


Andy won last night! :) And Federer and Hewitt are on tonight! Intense.. Federer really is adorable - don't you think? :)


¤ Sar  x



P.S I found a beautiful dress today - black with a sweetheart neckline but also with little sleeves and a diamond cut out of the back with a little bow at the dip of the neckline.. and the skirt came out and made is so gorgeous. Ah, so beautiful.. I can see a formal dress ..

Oh, Bailey...

My sister and I had a lovely sleep in this morning (apart from the non-existent blinds in her bedroom meaning that the windows are covered with a sheet that doesn't exactly keep much sunlight out..) although, once again, I had to read some more of my book! I have ALMOST finished it! I have maybe ..20 pages to go? And, wow. Scandalous! Big twist at the end. I can tell you, I must have been sitting reading it over breakfast with quite a painful expression on my face - Cate kept looking at me and laughing :) I have the second book ready to read, so I'm all prepared!
So I had a good morning but later this afternoon I got home to find that cheeky, little Bailey (my Cavalier - remember? The little poser from my photos! haha) had run off and was nowhere to be found. You can only begin to imagine how I was feeling this afternoon! My brother and I looked for her for ages and we finally got a phone call - it turns out that Little Miss Cheeky had run off to the milk bar down the road! Thank goodness we found her!
I'm looking forward to watching Andy Roddick and Fernando Gonzalez tonight! It should be a good match! :)
Here are a few more photos of Bea from "Sarah and Bea's Photographic Adventures" :)

¤  Sar  x

P.S I finished the book.. and have already got the 2nd one out! haha

And I've been watching a bit of Andy and Fernando.. good match! Andy just hit 3 aces in a row! Wowee.. Have I ever mentioned that he's one of my favourite tennis players?.. Well, he is :)

Night in

Okay, so I'm really a bit obsessed with "City of Bones" at the moment.. It's been a while since I last woke up and sat in bed reading and for the past couple of days I have been! I used to think that I wasn't quite into fantasy novels but I'm starting to think that I kind of am..?
Today, I've spent the day mostly with my eldest sister :) We've been wandering around looking at a cute antique store with the most BEAUTIFUL, old grand piano (sigh.. so gorgeous), catching glimpses of celebrities (okay so, sort of.. we saw one celebrtity.. Charlie Pickering haha) and crying over an old Shirley Mclaine film, "Terms of Endearment"... my, oh, my.. it's almost as bad as "Beaches"!! Although, I wasn't quite howling as much as I would have been in that case.. but, still!
I also showed my sister a few bits of GLEE :D Which, to her surprise, she seemed to rather enjoy :) It is, after all, rather amazing :) We both seem to find the bit in the episode "Vitamin D" when they're all high on decongestant particularly hilarious.. And the bit when Puck sings "Sweet Caroline" adorable :) Even though I've never really liked that song.. :)
We've also been watching a bit of the tennis tonight! We missed Hewitt and Baghdatis, but we watched quite a bit of Haas and Tsonga! Good match! Although we missed the end.. But, it was so hard to pick a player to go for! I adore Tsonga - although, who doesn't?! - and have seen Haas play twice this week.. tough decision!
Here are a couple of photos from the open this week :) The first is of Del Potro when we saw him training and the second is of the match between Haas and Tipsarevic :)

Tipsarevic is the one closest to the camera and Haas is receiving at this point :)


¤  Sar  x

My latest obsessions

Today, I got a friend from school hooked on a book that I'm reading at the moment. It's the first book in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, called "City of Bones". It's also a fantasy novel about a world of magic and darkness - maybe not the most well-written book, but it certainly seems to get you a little obsessed. So, I suppose this is one of my latest obsessions. Yes, I did in fact discover this series on Polyvore...
For those who have never watched Glee, you are really missing out! It is also one of my latest obsessions; it's cute, a bit quirky and I adore the music! I love that there have been so many films and shows incorporating singing into the storyline like a musical for TV or cinema, not just Broadway. Yes, I am one of those people who wishes that everyone would break out into song on the streets one day! :) I would love it .. haha

A past obsession of mine was drawing eyes, however, once I get back to school and begin doing more art again, I just know that my love of drawing eyes will most definitely begin again! This is a scan of what I did one day during this particular obsession out of boredom with a pack of aquarelle pencils and brushes and water...

¤  Sar  x

Another day at The Open

Another friend of mine from school let me know last night that she was wanting to go to the tennis today so, of course, sunburn and all, I decided to go with her :) And it was definitely worth it!

Juan Martin Del Potro was training on one of the courts that we just so happened to walk past which was really quite cool - he's so, incredibly tall! - and I got a few pictures and a 2 second (or so) video of him about to serve - although that was a mistake .. I didn't realise the camera was on video, clearly..

And Tommy Haas was playing on Margaret Court - which can be quite difficult to get into - but we lined up (it also turns out that my friend loves the guy he was playing - Tipsarevic) and we got in! So we got to watch a bit of the match which was also really quite cool!

As you can imagine, I was "slip, slop, slap"-ing to no end today what with it being a hot day and very sunny! Thankfully, I haven't managed to get even more burnt although I did get a bit of colour on my legs and feet - which is a funny look, I can tell you..

The two photos I have included, the first being a scan, hence the high quality, and the second being taken on my phone, hence the poor quality, are of the first watercolour I have ever completed at home with my own set of paints! I actually hated the original drawing, but it turned out a lot nicer painted! I will soon upload a few photos that I took whilst drawing and painting this piece in different stages..


¤  Sar  x

French/revs day

Up until only recently, I haven't felt all that anxious about this year.. that was until I realised what homework I had to do before I went back to school. Then I began to fully understand what revolutions is going to involve this year.
So, I discussed this with a friend of mine and we decided that it was crucial that we go over our notes together and work on our French - with occasional breaks involving French films and a lot of nutella. We made this fantastic plan and it took place today. I went over to her house and we had some lunch down the road and came back to our revolutions notes together where we tried to comprehend whether or not leaders are necessary for a successful revolution, whether revolutions are planned or not and whether they are inevitable. As I'm sure you can tell, the nutella was very much a necessary component in this situation! I then introduced my friend to a cute, French movie called "8 Femmes" (8 Women) and we sat with our nutella and watched some cute, French people singing and what not. It's an adorable movie and I definitely recommend! :)

I am slowly, slowly getting through my sunburn - my nose is pretty sore and it still looks like I'm wearing a white bangle and my skin is abnormally red.. but hopefully it should be all better soon :)

¤  Sar  x

My day at the tennis

Today, as I mentioned in my last post, I went to the tennis with a friend of mine! It was supposed to be 23 degrees in Melbourne so I brought along an extra layer with me - it was particularly cold this morning! So, I was expecting a chilly, Melbourne day at the tennis .. however, it turned out to be quite a nice, warm day, and my extra top was only needed in the morning on our way Melbourne Park. How typical of Melbourne weather to change its mind!
So, I got burnt.. and the worst part is, I was wearing a bangle on my arm and now it still looks like I'm wearing one (haha). And my nose is burnt. But, on the bright side, I got to see a bit of Monfils playing which was grand, I tell you(!!), and I also got to watch a bit of Tommy Haas :) which was also grand! It was nice to just get a sense of the atmosphere :)
You have no idea how much I am looking forward to doing art this year! I am telling you, I can not wait one second. This year should be a good one at school and I'm excited about all my subjects, but at the same time, it's a bit scary! I really need to work on my art and drawing skills.. I am sure they're very rusty due to my break. I did a painting for my mum's christmas present and initially wanted to do a portrait for her but, because I've been out of practice, I couldn't get it right! So, instead I did a watercolour of Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly at the start of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" when she's looking in at the windows of Tiffany's, eating her breakfast in a long black gown with long black gloves.

I shall leave you with the cutest little poem I found on Polyvore:
everyone wants to be happy
nobody wants pain
but you can't make a rainbow
without a little rain



¤  Sar  x

at home in pjs

One of my favourite things to do is stay home all day in my pyjamas and do nothing at all except casual polyvore-ing and - at this time of the year - watching the tennis :) It is so unlike me to actually enjoy watching sport - or playing it, for that matter - but a couple of years ago I watched my first, full tennis match and actually enjoyed it. Since then, all year long I am bursting for the Australian Open! It is finally here and I began my day with Maria Sharapova and Maria Kirilenko.
So, today was a quiet day; I watched bits of the match and created a couple of sets on Polyvore - which I am slowly becoming more obsessed with - and went to yoga with my sister; first class for the year! It's always good to get back into it :)
Tonight, Nadal was playing and his matches are always good to watch :)
I'm a bit excited, though, because tomorrow, a friend and I are going to the tennis :) Hopefully we'll be able to see some of our favourite players! I will have to update you on how it all goes :)
On a different note, I thought I'd share a painting of mine with you that I did last year in the first semester of school. It's a watercolour and probably the best I've ever done - I hope you like it!

¤ Sar  x

Find me on Polyvore

The market

This morning, I got up slightly earlier than usual - which isn't really all that early - to go to a local sunday market with a friend of mine. I haven't always been all that lucky when it comes to finding bargains and pretty pieces of clothing - my first and only buy was a brooch from a little, old lady - however, this morning we seemed to have some luck. Upon wandering through the stalls, my friend found a gorgeous, cropped, black blazer jacket - her very first buy at a market. We stopped at another stall where I found a dress - v-neck, blue with a floral pattern, above the knee with a tie and some elastic around the waist. 10 bucks! Bargain! I thought about it a bit whilst we wandered through the stalls and ended up going back to try it on over my clothing (really quite amusing) and buying it :) My first buy of clothing at a market! How exciting!

Whilst we looked through the rest of the stalls, I found some sheets of music that were yellowed and torn, sold for a dollar per sheet. By the time we got to the stall, the girl said I could have 5 sheets for a dollar! So... I bought them :) Of course, I didn't buy them for no purpose at all! Being deputy editor of the school magazine this year, I've been continually coming up with different ideas and inspiration for layout and design etc. - the old sheet music shall not go to waste! And, it turns out that it's from the opera, "Carmen"! :)

This afternoon, it was my sister's house warming, so my family and I were all in her new apartment celebrating over scones with jam and cream... only, my sister didn't seem to realise that the cream needed to be whipped... and all she had was a whisk! So, we sat with our scones coated with jam and asked eachother if we would like a "drip" of cream? :) Oh, Cate... the scones were good, though! Even though there weren't quite enough plates, knives, cups... :)

I have slowly worked through almost all of the photos I took of Bea! So, I will post some more - my favourites :)

Thanks again to Bea! You did an incredible job!

¤ Sarah  x

Find me on Polyvore

Sarah and Bea's Photographic Adventures

Yesterday, my friend, Bea, came over for a bit of a photo shoot, and with her, she brought a new dress that she had bought a day or two beforehand. I set up the makeup and additional accessories and then made her up and curled her hair with hot rollers.

We then walked to the park down the road...

...where I took several hundred photos of her under trees, hugging trees and so on. I was a bit anxious about using a digital camera as, with this particular digital camera, you don't have the option of fixing the focus, but, it turns out that using a digital camera wasn't as bad as I had thought.. :) I have been pleasantly surprised! :) I suppose the fact that I was able to take several hundred photos was a plus! Haha .. :)

So, this afternoon I uploaded the photos to my computer (yes, Bea, it does look like you stole my camera..) and have been busy lightening and darkening them and what not. I haven't changed them too much but have tried to bring out the colours and the warmth and give some a different feel to others. I won't upload too many of them as I haven't quite gone through them all but will give you a bit of an idea ...

Once I have been through them all, I'll upload some more :)

After yesterday, I'm pretty sure Bea and I have about a million ideas ready to be transformed into photographic magic :)

Thank you for being such an amazing model, Bea! (And for letting me post these photos...)

¤ Sar  x

a few black and white photos..

Last night, I was on Polyvore looking at sets when I found something pretty funny:
"I grew up in a college town, and one Halloween our doorbell rang and we opened the door expecting to see trickortreater—but what was in front of our open door—was another door! Like, a full-on wooden door, that had a sign that said “Please knock.” So we did, and the door swung open to reveal a bunch of college dudes dressed as really old grandmothers, curlers in their hair, etc, who proceeded to coo over our “costumes” and tell us we were “such cute trick or treaters!” One even pinched my cheek. Then THEY gave US candy, closed their door, picked it up and walked to the next house. "
I thought this was really quite funny and would so love to do this some time - maybe this year :)


November last year, I took some photos on a camera that I borrowed from school - not a digital camera or anything, but one where you have to use film, correct the lighting and the focus and wind it before you take the photo. I love these cameras so much and sadly I don't think they're manufactured anymore! But what I love about them is that you can control what you would like to focus on and there's something nicer about it than the standard 'point and shoot' that we get with digital cameras these days..
All of my photos were taken around the house - in the backyard and out the front on the driveway - and feature Bailey, our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Usually, she doesn't like being photographed but for some reason, on this particular day she was being a bit of a poser :)

I'll post some more photos that I've taken, mainly from last year, and some paintings I've done :) Today I'll be taking more photos so hopefully I'll be able to post them soon too :)

¤ Sarah  x

Find me on Polyvore

My very first blog post

My very first post and I don't know how to begin! It seems kind of silly to be saying 'hi', so I think I'll start by telling you a bit about myself.
My name is Sarah and I am a lover of the arts, fashion, music, books, photography and all things classic and eccentric, which may seem like a bizarre mix of interests - classic and eccentric? I love European history and speaking French - not fluently as yet... I'm getting there! I also adore Vogue, and Tim Burton and Baz Luhrmann are my two most favourite directors :) Decorating my walls with gorgeous photos from Vogue is one of my favourite pastimes, however, I have only ever ripped up one of my own Vogues - never again! And by 'ripped up', I mean torn out pretty photos that I like to use as wallpaper :)
I love all things French! Paris, the language, the fashion, the films, the music... everything! My favourite French band (although they're Canadian I believe..?) is Coeur de Pirate; Beatrice Martin writes the most gorgeous music!
I love to paint and draw! Lately, I have been painting portraits using watercolours :)
I also love to work out songs on the piano by ear which I am slowly getting better at! At the moment, my most recent songs I have worked out by ear are "Ensemble" and "Pour un Infidèle" by Coeur de Pirate :)
Well, I don't want to bombard you with information about myself, but I'll be sure to be back ranting about my newest obsessions - did I mention how much I love Glee? :)

¤ Sarah   x


P.S I must give credit to my mum for helping me with my blog name and to Cate for taking the photo of Paris - she is, after all, renowned for taking numerous photos overseas! :) And, of course, to Becc for her "aura" :)


Find me on Polyvore