The dying kangaroo

It's now two weeks til I leave for New York, and guess who I'm flying on. That's right - our 'national carrier' who currently isn't carrying.
What a turn of events, it's so fascinating. I suppose that's what happens when you hire an Irishman to run an iconic Australian brand, and then back him up with a Board of men who make Montgomery Burns look like Bill Gates.
The whole $2 million bonus would be hysterical if it were part of some satirical anti-capitalist comedy skit, but as a true story it is unconscionable and provocative.
If Qantas survives, and it probably will, it has already shown it's ugly underside as just another ho-hum company hell bent on making an obscene profit regardless of any social costs to the nation who has been supporting it for the past 90 years. And some things can't be unseen.
Personally, I'm happy to pay extra for a ticket on a plane if I feel confident it has been meticulously maintained, with no corners cut, and is being flown by a cohesive, contented crew.
Sadly, on the other side of this dispute Australians may no longer feel an allegiance to the company. Qantas has certainly proven it feels no allegiance to us.

Bedroom mini-makeover

What to do on a rainy Monday? With the help of some new bed linen, and using what I already have, I did a little boudoir makeover.
This is before, in all its glorious drabness.

...and after with some new linen.

And again. Before.

After.

Before.

After

Before.

After.

It's not finished of course. A house never is. I still need a rug, new lampshades, a bed head and new curtains, preferably ones without holes in them from the cat swinging off them.

Now, has anyone ever heard of ASAP skincare? Apparently it's the business, and it seems everyone else has used it and loved it except for me. I don't know how on earth that one slipped through without me noticing, but more importantly, I'm onto it now.

A bunch of lillies, two topiaried ficus, tomatoes and a wire setting

Oriental lillies are beautiful at the moment. I got these ones from Rosalie Gourmet Market.
Coincidentally, they were $15, the same price I paid for each of these topiaried ficus-es-s. Some might say that the topiary should have been left behind in 1995, but I disagree. I think they are a classic.

We got them this morning from the Caboolture Markets. There were lots of plant stalls there and I would have brought home more, but we had to curtail our visit due to Peach's having a meltdown. She decided to wear a long white dress and a white fur coat (it looks like its made from harp seal), just perfect for some dirty country markets on a hot morning. Although the temperature was getting up there, and her face was obviously flushed, she refused to remove it  in a typical Peach's style stand-off, which are always totally devoid of logic.
Let me tell you, the bargains don't stop there with the ficus-es-s. I also got these pretty cherry tomatoes for $1. One dollar! I actually detest fresh tomatoes, but they make great kitchen bench decorations. I can also just bear them in a salad smothered with fetta cheese and olive oil.

Cherry tomatoes. Boring, I hear you say.
Well then, feast your eyes on this.

This is my 1970s wire setting, which actually has three chairs and a table. It's in A1 condition and it was only $59 on Ebay. That'a bargain, no matter how you look at. It's perfect for that area. The chairs are comfy, it's not bulky and the sun can shine through it easily so the grass doesn't die, and it goes without saying it's a first rate afternoon g & t spot.

Taming the problem child

Remember last month I showed this photo of the area directly outside our pool gate. It's been a real problem area. There's lots of problem areas in the garden when you live on a hill - terracing is key!

This is how it's looking now.

Again. Before.

After.

It's still not finished. You'll see the fence has no palings, that's because we're planting a hedge there instead. That still has to go in, and I've also bought a little old wire table and chairs to go on the grass, which we will hopefully pick up this afternoon.
And in other news of progress, remember these eggs in the nest at my Dad's?

They've since hatched and the birds are about to leave the nest any day. I wonder how the bird is that was in the egg we dropped?
I have finally hired house cleaners, they start in two weeks and I don't feel any guilt (sort of). Clean, shiny floors, here we come!

Gearing up

It may be Friday for you tomorrow, but for me it's day 38 before I take off for New York. I have been surprisingly un-obsessed with it to date, but I can feel my enthusiasm setting in like concrete.
I've been reading Sybilla Court's Stylist's Guide to New York, and I've been re-reading Lily Brett's essays on the City.

 

I've loaned my New York Deco to one of the friends I'm going with.

I've planned a Woody Allen movie fest. Say what you will about him personally, the man makes an excellent fil-um.

I've done a bit of Mad Menning - goes without saying.

I'll possibly brush over Sex and the City again. I had it in my head to visit Magnolia Bakery, but I've heard you have to line up for an hour for your cupcake. I'm afraid the only time I line up for food is when there's a war on.

I'm open to any suggestions or advice from anyone. Unlike being pregnant, advice on visiting New York is welcome and appreciated.