The ghosts that broke my heart before I met you...

"In the moment and flow and flux of everyday life, the photograph preserves what the eye might otherwise not capture. This is the point at which image and photograph must be seen as dramatically different. For although the photograph has an existence separate from the viewer it can never be removed from the process of interpretation." ~ Berger

Recently I attended a good friends going away party. It took place around the time of the full moon - so it was all a tad loose and wild as people howled at the moon and rebalanced their water levels with beer. As tends to happen now that all of our faces have become books, around a week later photos of the event started popping up in the online public and clogging up our notifications and news feeds. As my sister Ellis and I looked over the most recent additions ... cringing and 'de tagging' the slatternly, droopy eyed images of our inebriated selves ... we came across several photos of a friend who neither of us remembered having been in attendance. One of these photos even included Ellis! Bemused by this and wanting answers, the following postings ensued

I found the final comment most interesting, that perhaps our friend Pap had not been there at all ... but the author of the photos had 'Photoshopped' him in.

The idea of 'ghosts' in photographs is becoming a more realistic phenomenon in a time where we have the aid of myriad nifty technological programs which can alter our memories to 'supernatural' effect...

Make a photo brighter,

a smile whiter,

or skin tighter...

Or to the entire displacement of people and objects into places in times they weren't actually apart of. This can also occur through a person being caught in a photo unaware, becoming apart of an archive they had no investment in. This happened to Ellis when she found herself apart of an archived picture of an old residence on 'Google Maps' - no longer there, though captured in that space within the webosphere. So what is the consequence of this on the 'truth' of the photograph? Are our memories becoming scripted by the liberties we have been granted in authorship?

Bacon Power: Helping you buy stuff that's cheap.

Always lured by the glitter of aluminum from the fluorescent casing of a vending machine, I decided to become a connoisseur of sorts and test drive the array of canned liquids they display. Here is the lowdown on how to spend your spare change for that 3 p.m. sugar rush...

A&W ROOT BEER

This fizzy concoction is not for the faint of heart. Although history claims this an American classic, its appeal is to the all-Australian male - with a title that embodies everything a true blue bloke would profess to enjoy. With its no nonsense packaging, this is the hardest of the soft drinks. If a neat scotch isn't on hand, and you've got a manly sized thirst ... this is the alpha-aluminum of the vending machine.

CALPICO CULTURED MILK DRINK - STRAWBERRY

Considering myself a worldly woman, I enjoy a bit of culture. This seemed an exotic choice - unusually blending fruit, fizz and milk. Intensely sweet, this is what I imagine it would taste like if you melted down a packet of berry starbursts and strained the juice. However, this is not the type of culture you can cellar ... after a day open in the fridge it's best tipped down the sink, and not as a compliment to your brioche for Sunday brunch.

POKKA ALOE V

If there were 'super soft drinks' akin to 'super foods' - this would be the star. Made with Aloe Vera juice, a plant extract known mostly for its many extraneous benefits, such as cooling your sunburn to aid a sexy tan and prevent a mass of reptilian like skin shedding... I discovered it's also allegedly the answer to all my internal issues. The Aloe Vera plant is packed full of vitamins and minerals, and is supposedly beneficial for detoxification and digestion when consumed. So if you are ever going to feel good about guzzling a sugar laden soft drink - this one is it. Not to mention it has aloe pieces that are like the surprise toy in your Frosted Flakes - not only do you get to drink nature's syrupy sweetness, you get to eat its gummy lollies too. SUPER.

POKKA MILK COFFEE

Cafe Au Lait ala can. This was the way to wake up when travelling in Japan, where everything comes as a letter-number combo from a machine. It was the double hit of sugar and caffeine conveniently available from your hostel's common room. Genius. Sure it might not stand up to the coffee snobbery of inner city circles as far as quality of bean, creme of milk, and other la di da poo poo. But it tastes pretty damn good. So if you're too late to leg it to your favourite local and wait for Alessandro to put a love heart in your latte ... or if you're short that extra 1.50 for the low fat soy, extra sprinkles pick me up you crave ... this is the way forward. It's just like iced coffee - except made on 10 of those UHT milks you get from hotel mini bars, and swirled with shitloads of sugar syrup.

YEO'S LYCHEE DRINK

In my experience Yeo's are to Pokka what Star Cola is to Coca-Cola. Though if you're going to Yeo, this is some of their better produce (steer clear of the Soy Bean Drink, aka 'Arse en la Can'). It's the juice of Lychees - canned. Tasty. Nuff said.

Let them eat cake...

By Lou Lou.

Growing up, I remember every birthday being celebrated with an elaborate cake from the Women’s Weekly book of Birthday cakes. Mum would slave away for an entire day to fulfil requests for piano cakes with chocolate keys, individually placing every jellybean onto ‘the cuckoo clock’ cake, and even once requiring the aid of a brick to support the back of the ‘candy store’ cake. My point here is, although the task of constructing such outré cakes was difficult, these birthdays were made memorable by the effort … and so began my quest to bring back the elaborate party cake.

I decided to put this in to practice for our friend Tristan’s going away party. To appreciate this cake you need a bit of background information on our friend Tristan and the parties that ensue when he is the host. Tristan’s interests include: trance dancing (the best I’ve seen), experimentation, tie dyed pants … and generally being crazy in the most awesome kind of way.

So it seemed only appropriate that on this night of his going away party to combine a cake that looks like a plane is taking off, with a tie dyed interior. I was hoping that being Tristan’s party would ensure that at least a few people would be in some kind of mind altered state and my cake would provide a heightened experience of, for lack of better phrasing, some serious trip outs. Although unfortunately this didn’t occur, the cake was a definite source of excitement and was remembered of the night long after the mess had been cleaned up.

To make a tie dyed cake yourself you will need:

-Vanilla cake mix

-Food colouring (at least 4 colours)

-4 x small bowls

-Cake tin

Basically make the cake batter as per instructions... separate into the four bowls... add a different colour to each bowl... and pour each separately into the cake tin to create rainbow layers. Booyah! And you are done. Happy travelling bakerinos!!

Love

Denim and DENIM

Nothing says classy like a Canadian suit...

Kickstart your Friday with awesomeness

Just a few months ago, all of us here in Melbourne were saddened by the news that one of it's veteran live music institutions, Collingwood's 'The Tote', was being closed down due to the harsh liquor licensing laws destroying the roots of our grunge music scene ... one built amongst streams of bundy and bourbon and fueled by the ashes of winny blues. The Tote in all honesty was pretty stank - thongs were not appropriate footwear for the venue and you could expect to leave wearing someone else's sweat (and maybe their pants ... i'm just saying). Though it was filthy in the best kind of way ... that is, the kind that you used to describe the air you got jumping from the swing seat back when you were a gappy toothed, dirty faced midget. And this is how we liked it, because it was everything that post-punk rock wanted to represent it - raw, unhinged, and definantly unapologetic for who it was.

The one good thing about tragedies such as this, however, is that people find ways to come together and make it right. From the rubble of the Tote's demise has risen a fire - sparking the urge for Melbournians to unite and pay creed to the abundance of local live acts that have been integral to our city's heritage.

One of tastiest of these tributes has come in the form of free lunch time gigs being held at
1000 Pound Bend bar in the city. That's right kids, FREE - your dancing needn't be inhibited the weight of all that train change in your long johns. Bought to you by the good folk at Australian music magazine and blog site Mess + Noise, the aptly titled 'Lunch Box' series is taking place monthly on a Friday at 1pm. The next treat on offer to us is the multi instrumental looping of one very talented lady known as 'Pikelet,' on the 11th of June. So get on down, support our excellent local produce, and most importantly, kick start your weekend early with some shoulder shuffling and beers. I know I will be.

AWESOME.

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For more info, check out the Mess + Noise wrap up...

Lunchbox series #4: Pikelet

The many faces of Gossip Girl's Bart Bass

Loving...

Compassionate...

Remorseful...

Confused...

Shocked...

Captivated...

More DASH than Cash

Over the years, the coveted 'Vogue' brand has become less alluring to me and more depressing. As a struggling student, trying to style an outfit means devoted hours sifting through the musty piles at local opportunity stores, my Saturdays excitedly following the twists and turns of 'This Ways' to garage sales, and occasionally scraping out the piggy bank for that 'must have' brand new item. Hence why the pages of couture in Vogue, at prices matched to the down payment on a house, have seemed less enticing and more enraging. Sure they could serve as inspiration; foresight into coming seasons trends or, if nothing else, collage material. Though even when I have on some whim or another bought a copy ... my attempts to emulate the fantastical arrangements within are to a result that pales (the colours of second hand items are typically faded) when compared. I hadn't bought a Vogue in a long while; preferring to save my dollars for devoted purchases of my favourite 'Russh' and, when I can get my hands on a copy, the beautifully whimsical biannual offerings of UK magazine 'Lula.'

It wasn't until late last year when landed alongside my tea at the hairdresser was a UK vogue with a splashy headline cover 'more dash than cash.' I spent those typically droll hours under the dryers pouring over the issue and was surprisingly impressed. I even went home to tell my housemate of the feature and how cool an idea I thought it was. I assumed that this was a one off occurrence amidst the cataclysmic market events of 2009 and its fallout, of which especially hit the UK. And so, I went back to my Vogue avoidance except for when ticking over waiting room minutes....

UNTIL, I glimpsed a familiar looking splashy headline on the cover of the April 2010 Australian Vogue. The 'More Dash than Cash' feature adopted by Vogue headquarters here at home? Intrigued, I bought the issue and found to my delight that this was being run as a trial to becoming a fixture feature. Yes please! The section was young and playful; a mixture of late 80's bold individualism and 90's eclecticism, painted in a palette of musks and lollipops, and then all wrapped up in gran's finest lace. Kirstie Clement's editor letter requested reader feedback as to whether the high street supplement should be seen on a regular basis; and the answer is yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, YES. Smartest thing Vogue has come up with in a long while - because all smart fashionistas know it is not what you are wearing, but how well you work it. Ye-ahhh.

Nanna's Hip

Street Style 1.

If I were as cute and stylin' as this little lady I'd be proud. With enviable accessories - a pair of vintage shades cooler than my own, a classic brooch necklace, and the fashion bold addition of a sweet fabric hat - worked into an outfit she has colour matched right down to the shade of pink lipstick to the florals of her skirt - this one is clearly eminent in the art of ensemble. Adorable!

You are sweet and lovely...

Honey Baked Apple

Today I awoke after an eventful long weekend to a feeling of post mortem - the sky outside had gone from sunshine to a dark gray usually reserved for mid winter. I left the huddle of my doona to a chill in the hallway and felt the urge to run back to bed and spend the day licking my wounds. I resisted though, and instead opted for the second best thing to ail the shock of a winter's day in mid Autumn - a hot comforting meal. This recipe is an adaptation of a dessert in the Marie Claire 'Simple and Fresh' cookbook which I adjusted to become a healthy winter breakfast.

Ingredients

1 x medium to large sized Granny Smith apple

1 x tspn honey

1/4 cup muesli or granola (home made if you can)

Natural yoghurt to serve

1. Preheat oven to 200 Degrees Celsius

2. Core the apple

3. Make an incision around the middle of the apple's skin with a sharp knife

4. Mix muesli/granola with the honey and fill the cored centre of the apple

5. Place on tray lined with baking paper and let bake for 20 mins, or until the filling looks golden and the apple is soft and juicy

6. Serve with a dollop of yoghurt and extra honey if desired

This always leaves me feeling invigorated and happy on a cold day, especially alongside a hot chai tea!

Love

KARLIE KLOSS...

Besides having an awesomely alliterated name that rhymes with 'fairy floss,' making me think of sugary sweets and pretty pastels, the american born model is just the epitome of natural elegance. With her ballerina figure and fresh faced good looks, she radiates that 'je ne sa quoi' that makes her every shot appear effortless. This is from American In Style's April issue - I particularly loved the snap comb headband in the styling here. It bought me back, as a child of the 90's, to the days where I owned pop bright minis and green tencil jeans...

AS A TREND. AS A FRIEND.

Today I wanted to introduce you to a few unique individuals I am lucky to know. As often as I open a fashion magazine and appreciate the symmetrical features of some coltish legged model draped in lust worthy couture ... their beauty never can compare to when I get to see the faces of my friends. So this is them - in their element just doing their thang ... Enjoy x.

Bangs

Small in size but big in words - she can warm you with the brightest of smiles or crush you with the coolest of stares...

Interests: Sleeping, Slaying titans, Sleeping, Socks in bed, Sarcasm, Sitting, Scary Movies, Quentin Tarantino, Unwashed 'Callum Moss' hair, Leon S Kennedy, Zombies, Buttered Bacon (and not just her wife), Conserving productivity for days when everyone else is nursing extreme hang overs...Oh and crushing all our idealistic dreaming.

Callum McBain

Shrouded in utter mystery, and unkempt hair, he is the ciggy master...

Interests: Hair grease, Acting, Bodily puss, Being the bad guy from Kindergarten Cop, The Strokes, Playing gigs sans pants, Sipping Campari, James Franco, Running a stolen wheelchair racket, the anomaly of space.

Courts Douchebag

Our very own Lester Bangs-esque punk...

As the moustache grew, it grew a persona all of its own.... Like that 90's horror flick the idle hand... watch out or the mo will get ya!!

Interests: Facial hair, Chuck Norris, Getting massive, Mixing and scratching, A good couch, KFDizzle, Plugging for Melbourne's PBS 106.7 (They are 'little known' no more...), Snoring like a wild gutted bore, Black street slang yo, Bro-ing it up, Cheese, Surfing ... the interface, Rocking out in form fitted jeans.

Extreme Spence

Man of few words but of much substance ...

This could easily be the next Brut Max campaign - Never before has a company tried to appeal so broadly to men.

Interests: Being extreme, Beer, Switching easily from extreme rad surfer to sharp suit-ability (just like the real life Jonny Utah), Pioneering the pencil and eraser in shirt pocket (who says business is all about the biro...?), Panel vans, Handkerchiefs, Conserving words only for moments of brilliance.

Nato

Always the entertainer ...

Nato... oh Nato....

You are clearly a sex pest.

'I can't believe you're wearing the same outfit!'

Interests: Getting nude, Being in the limelight, Boobs, Homosexual role play ... it's scarily convincing, Acting, Directing, Playing music, Breaking boundaries, Bro-mance, Sloe Gin from the bottle, Extroversion of all extremes.

Action Anna

Don't be fooled by the cute exterior, this mini pocket rocket can arm wrestle with the boys ...

I went to market to sell our last cow...

...except then I swapped it for these magic boots.

Interests: Chin-ups, Team leading, Secret handshakes, Soccer ... sports of all inclination really, Skip-hop, Activism in 'The Fight Against Sobriety', Handstands and cartwheels, Zoingo Boingo, Drunken cycling, Having awesome hair, Promoting Australian Organics, Providing us a sturdy morale compass.

Simmy-Sav

Fiery and passionate - She's the Queen defendant of our honour ...

Anyday ending in 'Y'

Interests: Savvy Bbbbbb, Frantic pacing, Singing, Serenading with song, Chic dainty cigarettes, Swinging her hair dangerously around your face, Swinging limbs dangerously in your face..., Poetry, The Lizard King, Deep and meaningful conversation, Crying during films... books ... Gray's Anatomy, Sexy strutting, Saving the Orangutans ... impersonating Orangutans, Gardening, French culture, French babies who eat cheese, Organic chicken, Loving to love.

Dave BBB

As big hearted and friendly as they come. He makes the girls gush and the boys buy him beers ...

Lock up your daughters! Check out those puppy dog eyes ...

Interests: BBB Beer, Utes, Australian culture and celebrations of, Emily, Peep shows, Lady Hawke, Handy manly work, Wearing wife beaters, God of War, Fishing, Cutting up a dance floor, Homosexual role play, Commanding attention ... helpful for gathering the herds to events, Excited story telling.

Emily

The leather jackets and pixie punk hair are merely a mask to a bookish, very lovely young lass ...

'Hi i'm Em. I'm cute and innocent and have never been seen in the same room as Ruby Rose. Don't believe me and i'll kick your fuckin teeth in!'

Interests: Fishing, Reading, Horses, Leather and studs (lucky Dave is good for a stud gun..), Peow PEOW, Fiddling on the guitar, Watching movies in bed, Visiting that place exiled from Australia's coast known as 'Tasmania', Family, Striking a super sexy pose, Sparring with Anna, Studying social welfare.

Troy

Goofy and sweet, he takes it all in an easy stride and a smile ...

'Boy meets beard meets music'

Interests: Oversized coats, Twentieth century literature, Guitar, Horror films by sick German fucks, Proclaiming things are 'fantastic!', Facial hair guises to his boyishness, Killing it with the ladies, Art, Cougars, Pancakes and cookies, Glowing positivity.

Ellis

Precocious beyond her years, she's as wise and weary as a tawny owl ...

Interests: Theology, Being right about it all, Ridiculously large mugs, Super saving strategies, Derelict footwear, Portraiture, Being a scientific fact file, Dolce Rosso, Stomping her feet, Milk - shit loads of Milk, Playing resident party paparazzi, Being a sister from the coast.

Aaron

Slight in stature, with a sharpness of wit that is unparalleled ...

Interests: 'Barney Stinston' impersonation, Butt massaging, Marathon running, Live music, Soap box speeches and political commentary, Studying under the tutelage of Extreme Spence - at 'The Spencer School of Extremity', Jessica Watson hatred, Horse race punting.

Katie Lee Lee

Effervescent and with a laugh that cracks the decibel barrier ...

Interests: Mega grip hair ties, Friends (from a time back when everyone wanted the 'Jen 96' at the hairdressers, and the pictures they'd show weren't of her weeping about her sorry love life..), Inquisitive procrastination, Hanging out in her PJs, Partying at the Union Express, Extremely loud laughing

Casey Bacon

She is just oh so composed ...

Interests: Only eating the flavouring from chip packets, Daydreaming ... and dreaming up grand unachievable ideas, Magazine collections, Antiquities, Polaroid documenting holidays, Baking desserts and cooking roasts, Being good to her wife, Large scale collages, Writing cheesy poems to make her sister smile, Being ultra composed ... until post a few gins and the 45 minute stopwatch to sleepy disgrace.

Fabian

Just a bloke. Just a really ace bloke ...

Interests: Sports, Sex, Beer. Not necessarily in that order. Asking loads of questions. Inventing outrageous australian slang phrases - "Wisen up soft cock, let's go bone some birds...?"

Julia Madison Molepit

'Oh so large' and loud, this one is a comic genius ...

Interests: BH 90210 and Luke Perry love, Poo observation, Ice-cream, Aerobics, Talking, Reading, Organising, Politically incorrect conversation, Grapes, Speaking, Large earrings, Book clubs, State of Origin football, Dusty old dictionaries, Using linguistics to converse, 90's memorabilia, High fiving Jesus.

'Spanner'

The combinant powers of our very own super hero duo 'Action Anna' and 'Extreme Spence'

'The Douchebags'

Raddest electro rock band the world has never seen...

We have albums worth of song names. We have music video concepts. We have stage names. We have a band manager. We even have a resident trance dancer to perform in all our live shows. And now, above, is our very first album cover/promo poster. Now all we need is to learn to play our instruments ... and then we will go on to totally dominate the indie rock scene. What up!