Oh! Heck!

Oh Lisa. Why? I really love you. And yet, last night you looked like you wanted to be anywhere else but on stage.

Don't get me wrong, I think Lisa Mitchell is an amazingly talented artist, but last night she was definitely upstaged by her support band Boy and Bear: a tight, quietly confident group of boys with divine harmonies and a pin-droppingly silent performance. I first heard of Boy and Bear when I saw Laura Marling at the Speigal Tent for Sydney Festival - she was singing their praises as the bass player from the band was filling in for her regular bass player. Ever since then my ears prick up a little whenever I hear this name. I'm so glad that I got to the Enmore a little early to get myself a spot for Lisa Mitchell (a task within itself - note to self: never attend and all ages gig again, I felt like shouting at them 'respect your elders!') becasue I must admit, I don't always give the support band the time of day they usually deserve. The Boy and Bear boys were dreamy and polished and quite simply just stunning to watch.

I'm sad to say I can't say the same for Miss Mitchell. While her awkwardness is sweet and endearing, I feel like it has a use-by date. I mean, she's a little older now, has toured furiously over the last twelve months and won many awards so really, her confidence and stage presence should be of a higher quality than what it is. Her opening line to her adoring fans was: 'Wow, you guys scream really loudly. I mean you don't have to scream.' The girl was shosshing her own fans! Was she for real? Many an awkward moments followed with her excusing her rudeness as nerves. Honey, if you're gonna be rude, at least own it.

She finally seemed to relax towards the end of the set when she pulled out 'Heroine' statically dancing about the stage, getting into the break down section, but this was only short lived unfortunately.

I'm sounding a little harsh I know, but I just wasn't really blown away. At all. And that makes me sad. I'd been looking forward to this concert for a fair few months now (I was even the purchaser of tickets number 1 & 2 - super keen) and I just feel like she didn't deliver that 'wow' factor that performers are meant to. I wasn't even swept up in her modesty, I was more along the train of thought: 'let's wrap this up sweety, the tweens behind me are about to go postal if they have one more red bull.'

I still love you Lisa. I guess for a few moments there, I really just wasn't in awe of you. I think all lead singers should be a little egotistical, love the limelight and the thousands of eyes that are upon them, because, clearly the former just doesn't work.

Saucer of milk, table one?

cactus
x

A change is in the air ...

And it all started with a haircut. I was sitting on the bus this morning when I had an epiphany. I've had three major changes in my life recently and it all started when I decided to take the plunge and do the chop.

I cut half my hair off after growing it for about two years. I don't know why. It was just time.
The day I cut my hair I auditioned for a London DJ. And he loved my ideas. So far I've done two tracks for him and am hoping it won't end there.

And finally, a couple of weeks later, I got a new job. A great one. Even though I'm hella sad to be leaving my cosy corner on the Pier, I know that it's time. Just like it was time to get an asymmetrical cut.

Change frightens me, I'm a play-it-safe kinda girl through and through so while all of this sounds exciting, I'm biting my nails to bits even though I think I'm doing the right thing. Isn't it funny how one morning you're ordering your skinny cap, loving the fact that you're coffee guy starts prepping your order when he sees you walking down the hill, then all of a sudden you don't know who's going to be making your morning coffee and if they'll ever get it just the way you like it.

What's changed for you in the last month?

love,
cactus
x

(image from here)

North Sydney Markets

Welcome to the sequel to Market Month May! On the weekend I went to North Sydney markets and had a most delightful morning.
North Sydney markets are located on Miller street at North Sydney Park, just a ten minute walk from the station. I must admit, this is one of my favourite markets. They're a perfect way to spend a sunny autumn morning. They're big enough to wander through for an hour or so, but not too big to feel overwhelmed and give up hunting half-way through.

I love the mix of old and new here, and the old stuff is always in such good nick due to the stall holders being mainly old, wealthy ladies who have looked after their possessions with much love, as per these sweet trinkets below.




I do have a confession to make though: I went over my $20 budget. I'm sorry, it's shameful I know. I was doing well - I got a hot gold and black ruffled bolero for $10, plus a vintage pink and grey Oroton scarf for $15 so wasn't doing too badly until I saw these ...



Who isn't partial to a little Mexican silver? And at only $20, I figured I could double my budget ... just this once. I took a girlfriend with me who is always baffled by my $5 dresses and $10 coats to see how easy it is find treasure for cheap cheap and she did so well - look at all those finds!



BUT she broke one of my No.1 rules when market shopping - Try it on. Always. No matter how hot it is, no matter how lazy you're feeling. If it doesn't fit - it ain't a bargain. And a $5 dress turned into a $25 dress due to the fact that none of her other purchases ended up fitting! I think she's learnt her lesson though.

What I love mist about North Sydney Markets is the openness and community feel. It's never hectic and always filled with just the right number of marketers. There's loads of grass to to hang out on and grab a feed and I think the cutest thing about Saturday was the all girl teen band that played. They weren't any older than fourteen and played slow sweet versions of punk songs - they're biggest fan was one of the dad's: an old rocker sporting a leather cap and standing up the front thrashing his head away to their covers. It was just too cute.

It's funny how parents are stuck in their coolest era and dress the way they did when they were at their peak. I hope to god that I move with the times and am not wearing tights and lace when I hit mumsville. But I do hope I'm up the front, tapping away, with my kid showing me up in terms of 'cool'.

But back to the markets - definitely seven cactus's out of ten: huge dollars not needed to have a lovely day in the park.

Happy hunting!

love,
cactus
x

It's Sunday night...

You said it graffitied park bench. Yuk. Sunday night blues are about to kick in.

On the upside I did find some special treasure at North Sydney markets on Saturday. Will post a review and some piccys soon!

much love,
cactus
x

Surry Hills Markets

For my first weekend of 'Market Month May' I hit up Surry Hills. I must say this isn't a market I frequent often, and when I got there I remembered why.

Now, I love a good rummage just as much as the next girl, but, the stalls at Surry Hills seem to swing between junk and over-priced 'vintage'.
I don't know about you, but I'm not will to part with $300 for a pair of sunnies unless they come with a receipt, a warrenty and the store owner is wearing a suit as opposed to ripped tights. Nor am I going to pay $40 for a pair of secondhand peter alexandria pajamas (gross). There were some nice things around but money was required.

This is not to say that the Surry Hills market doesn't have an appeal. The location is key, with all neighbouring homes making sure they have garage sales happening, there's cafes galore and pubs right next door which is handy after a long morning of digging for treasure. Plus, Surry Hills is the suburb of beautiful hipsters so people watching is always pleasurable.

I'm glad to say that I stuck to my $20 challenge! (well, within the markets anyway) and I scored a hella cute black and white dress with horse shoes and horse heads on it and a caramel leather bag, both for only ten bucks each! How well did I do?

I spent the day with a girlfriend and had a fabulous day, but the market itself was definitely not the highlight.
Basically, if you're gonna head to Surry Hills markets, I would be more inclined to make it a Surry Hills day and do all the cute boutiques on Crown street, have a feed at The Clock hotel, and then browse through the markets.

Overall, I'm gonna be harsh and give Surry Hills markets only 5 of out 10 cactus's, it's prickly out there.

Save your pennies,
cactus
x

Brown paper packages tied up with string ...

filled with a few of my new favourite things!

I recently received a gorgeous package from fellow blogger Sara who hails from In the Light of the Sun, which if you haven't you should go check out immediately, if not sooner.

I entered a little blog-comp she had going and won a stunning framed print of sweet cherry blossom-esque flowers. I was excited when a brown jiffy bag was at my doorstep but I was not prepared for the amount of sweetness inside!



I gently pulled my min handmade bunting away to reveal the lovely print, plus a little letter in a photographic envelope and ...



organic fairtrade tea bags with paper cranes instead of labels from clipper teas!



Oh I feel so special. Thank you Sara, you've made my day! Now if only I could decide on where to hang my print. And if I actually want to use these tea bags or just look at them. The big questions, coming to you live from Sunday morning.

Lovely to meet you via blogsphere too Sara, here's to blogship!

love and more,
cactus
x

Rain rain go away

image from here.

I want to be-gin Market May!
Yes that's right Market May where I will be visiting a different Sydney market every weekend for the month of May and reporting back with a tips, pics, reviews and bargains.

This weekend it's drum roll .... Surry Hills Market! I plan to set myself the $20 challenge and do my very very best to spending no more than this per market. (Food not included)
Rain isn't very conducive to market shopping though ... although perhaps it'll keep the crowds away and I'll only have to contend with the true bargain hunters.

I'll also be attending the Kino Craft and Zine fair which can be attended in rain, hail or shine.

Stay tuned kids, or maybe I'll see you there?

love
cactus

x