Paris and an Ode to Black and White Film

Paris and an Ode to Black and White Film

13 Aug 2010

I was thinking about what to write today. I knew I'd be posting some of my photos from Paris and decided to show some of my black and white film images. Apart from some spotting (removing dust and scratches from the scans) and altering the contrast, the images are as is. No photoshop wizardry has been applied.



I collected the scans a few weeks ago and I've been sitting on them for a while waiting for the right time to post them. There is something about black and white film images that I just love.



I love that I don't know how the images are going to turn out until the film is developed. I love that I have to trust my camera, my instincts and my knowledge to produce an image. It's like a little bit of magic. 



Every time I travel, I debate whether I really need to carry my film body, lens and my lead lined filmsafe bag. Every time the film comes back from the lab I fall more in love with black and white film photography.

Have a great weekend and see you all again next week,

Jillian

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Merci

Merci

11 Aug 2010

As a special treat during my recent holiday I stayed in Paris for 6 days at the sweet little Hotel Taylor. I'd heard about the Merci store in the Marais and was keen to see it for myself. The store is currently shrouded in scaffolding, so I walked straight past it.



What did I find inside? An intoxicating blend of fashion, furniture, homewares, plus 2 cafes. I was so impressed I visited the store twice.



This is what I came home with, a pretty scarf to brighten up my winter wardrobe and a few necklets to thank the special girl pals who joined me in Paris.

Thanks to Holly for featuring my Merci photos at decor8 today.

I'll be back again on Friday with a few more photos from Paris.

Bye for now,

Jillian

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Apple Macadamia Muffins

Apple Macadamia Muffins

9 Aug 2010

Now that I'm back at work again, I'm having to relearn how to squeeze everything into a 24 hour, 7 day week. In my spare moments I'm hard at work putting together a travel album so last week the gym went by the wayside. Tonight I survived my first cycle class in 2 months with no obvious ill-effects, though I'm wondering if I'll feel the same way tomorrow?

I knew you'd be disappointed if I didn't have some baked goods to show you, so Sunday morning I whipped up some muffins.



I'd not made these apple and macadamia muffins before and the combination of apples and macadamia nuts sounded tasty but I was a bit underwhelmed with the one I tried. I found it very sweet, a little dry and the nutmeg flavour was too strong for my taste.



I took the muffins into work today and my workmates loved them so I guess -

1. what would I know
2. they're the kind of muffin that improves with keeping.

Did you spot any of my new home-wares? I think there are 4 new items on display in this post.

See you all again on Wednesday with a mini shopshoot from Paris.

Until then,

Jillian

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Shoreditch, the Albion Caff, Labour and Wait and the Columbia Road Flower Markets

Shoreditch, the Albion Caff, Labour and Wait and the Columbia Road Flower Markets

6 Aug 2010

Whenever I go to London, I try to visit neighbourhoods I've not yet experienced. A few years ago I went to Shoreditch for the first time and decided it was time to return as I wanted to visit Labour and Wait plus have some lunch at the Albion Caff. 



I'd love to have shown you some photos of Labour and Wait but it's the tiniest little store. I had to wait for people to leave the store before there was room for me to enter. The shop has the most perfect collection of homewares and they are moving to larger premises in Redchurch Street very soon.



In the 5 years since my visit there's been a huge amount of gentrification in the area. When I was there in early July, a new overground station had just opened making it even easier to get there. Maybe that's why the Albion Caff was so busy and no, I didn't manage to get a table.



The building houses both a cafe and a shop which had lots of lovely looking baked goods, like the mini pavlovas you can see in the photo.

The next day I made a very quick trip to the Columbia Road Flower Markets. I was there in time for the markets to open as I had a train to catch to Paris. As you've probably gathered by now, I have a bit of a thing for flowers and how I would have loved to have gathered up armfuls of all the beautiful blossoms and carried them away with me.



There were all kind of cute looking shops lining the road but most weren't open when I was there. I managed to find one shop open where I bought the little enamelware pie dish you saw here. I'll guess I'll have to return.



Loads of colour



It's been a very long week so I'm so glad the weekend has finally arrived. I'll be back again on Monday with some more food photos, so until then have a great weekend,

Jillian

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London Mini Shopshoot - Anthropologie

London Mini Shopshoot - Anthropologie

4 Aug 2010

When I was on my trip, I knew it would be almost impossible to arrange a proper shopshoot so I did a few mini shoots in London and Paris.

My first destination was Anthropologie in Regent Street. We don't have Anthropologie in Australia so I was curious to see what all the fuss was about. With the exchange rate I found all the merchandise out of my price range so I had to be happy with taking photos instead.



Anthropologie is housed in a great building on Regent Street. Don't you just love the red London bus in the background? I'm pretty tiny so I find it hard to find clothes that fit, so I mainly looked at the homewares in the store.



 Anthropologie is not afraid of colour, that's for sure.



I'll be back again on Friday with some more London photos including my visit to Shoreditch and the Columbia Road Flower Markets.

Until then,

Jillian

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Rice Custard

Rice Custard

2 Aug 2010

I don't normally make desserts for myself except when it's winter, so when the weather is cold I start thinking about hot puddings. I always have leftover rice in the fridge, sultanas in the pantry and of course eggs and milk in the fridge, so it's pretty easy to whip up some Rice Custard.




The Rice Custard recipe comes from an old Women's Weekly Recipe book I've had on my bookshelf for ever.
  


My Grandma used to make this pudding when I was growing up and I didn't like it very much. The only part of the pudding I liked were the sultanas and when no-one was looking, I'd sneak into the kitchen and dig all the sultanas out of the pudding. Sorry Mum if you're reading this.

Making the pudding gave me a good excuse to use some of the goodies I purchased when I was away. Can you pick out my new home wares?

Today was my first day back at work for 2 months and I survived, but only just. I'll be back Wednesday with a mini London shopshoot so see you all then,

Jillian

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