Fabulous Fridays: 16 March 2012

It's Deadline Day and I'm slaving over a hot laptop, but after that I'll be able to lap up some lovely free time. Here's a few things that got me excited this week...

• If being a gypsy means pretty pink foofiness, the sign me up, please.
• A cheeky, cheeky Japanese gameshow. Can't decide whether this demeans men or women more, but everyone seems happy, so it probably doesn't matter. : )
• A fan of vintage clothes and colourful retro caravans? Check out Trish Hunter Finds.
• What's The Hunger Games all about? I'm intrigued and a little bit jealous... I wish I'd written it!
• I saw a fabulous and very vampiric burlesque performance to a great Gaga song last Saturday night.
• A quick interview with my ultimate girl crush, Emma Stone, at her Teen Vogue photo shoot.
• If you had a ukulele as a kid like me, it's time to upgrade to the big girl version. Do want!!!
• A sweet little blog for eco-chicks everywhere. : )
• Mr Big and I have been gardening of late, which can be a pretty daggy pastime, but imagine if we could grow Hello Kitty zucchinis with this...
• Love the look of the suave ladies here.
• I watched Notting Hill recently, so now I'm dreaming of living in this heavenly maisonette.

Have a dazzling weekend! : )

Home Living Words for Writers

Searching for ways to describe a pristine and pretty home that could have been interior decorated by Martha Stewart herself? Home in on these handy words...

Style, comfort, lifestyle, decor, outdoor room, homewares, paint, feature wall, lamps, lighting, shelving, space, storage, ottoman, covering, textiles, pond, furniture, antiques, entertainment, rumpus, kitchen, open plan, living room, breakfast bar, leather, suede, plush, apartment, balcony, decorating, gardening, renovating, quest room, inspiration, trade, roof, giftware, patio, verandah, wallhanging, work bench, eco-living, recipes, barbeque, pool, courtyard, indoor, cottage, beach, bungalow, setting, party, soiree, design, modular sofa, declutter, makeover, quilt, manchester, thread count, sheet set, inner-city, country, townhouse, homette, coffeetable, backyard artwork, revamp, reuse, recycle, jazz up, window, blinds, curtains, terrace, project, weekend, hardware, tiling, minimalist, nautical, kids, ideas, luxury, contemporary, real estate, architecture, trend, classic, home-maker, building, bathroom, wallpaper, stairs, vase, applicances, glassware, entertaining, enamel, finish, wooden, stainless steel, mirror, cushions, throw rug, walk-in robe, built-in robe, chandelier, bookcase, compact, spacious, airy, centrepiece, table runner, napkin, placemat, votive, flower arrangement, tablecloth, armoire, beanbag, chaise longue, banana lounge, countertop, sauna, spa, sliding doors, bay window, alcove, portrait, landscape, nook, origami, cross-stitch, mosaic, sculpture, statue, fountain, ikebana, abode, home, residence, dwelling, location, vast, lofty, objects, complementary, clash, prints, mish-mash, styles, mood, evokes, retro, vibrant, neutral, drab, pastel, hue, template, plan, organise, upcycle, broken, cracked, colour, ditial, gallery, topiary, atrium, creative, rustic, matching, perfect, library, linen, pantry, sleek, hinterland, cluster, ideal, eco-friendly, ivy, ornate, rambling, balance, symmetry, calm, solid, dominate, retreat, dine, enhance, crips, focal point, upholstery, deeper, lighter, fresh, simple, practical, accentuate, harmonious, sheer, drape, pattern, block, mask, shiny, detail, frame, muted, scatter, stackable, rack, spot, place, square, circular, rounded, dispenser, timber, flawless, popular, height, best, contets, view, system, overhaul, hidden, glance, baskets, goods, products, elegant, soft, clean, sophisticated, solar, carbon footprint, salvaged, collection, cover, hanging, fireplace, hallway, rolling, sliding, usable, hook, rail, install, cabinetry, proer, mechanism, fands-free, overhead, discreet, tucked, corner, awkward, inexpensive, cost-friendly, utensil, sink, dividers, inserts, tone, expandable, secure, size, freestanding, vertical, horizontal, basin, benchtop, plastic.

One day I hope to be using these words writing for Martha Stewart Living. In the meantime, I'll flick through the pages and pretend I could create a home enchanted with her style! ; )

Fabulous Fridays: 9 March 2012

Hello, lovely ladies!! I've rustled up some fast and fabulous treats for you to welcome in the weekend...

• Please visit and follow the Whispered Whimsy blog. Beyond beautiful and very unique.
• Rings made entirely from duct tape? Weird, but wonderful!
• This list makes me feel like I'm ace at starting conversations. Well, comparatively speaking.
• You've gotta make the most of being born with thick, luxurious hair (brace yourself...).
• Who is this Lana Del Rey chick I keep hearing about? The new Duffy/Adele/Amy Winehouse, it seems.
• Tom Hanks in an accurate portrayal of what our house is like at the moment.
• I reckon I could totally rock a titty tassel T-shirt, how about you? PS, Dr Sketchy's looks kinda awesome.
• I've been seriously remiss in not finding this Carrie Bradshaw-themed blog before now: Carrie on Carrie.
• Further proof Johnny Depp and Robert Downey Jr are, in fact, the same person. I knew it!

Hello Lover!

Vivienne Westwood for Melissa Lady Dragon Heels

If the past seven days have been for you like they have for me, enjoy a well-earned rest! xx

Vintage and Burlesque Magazines

As soon as I heard Burlesque Bible and Vintage Life magazine existed, I had to have them!!!

Luckily issues of both were available in a city newsagency, so I scooped them up in the one shopping trip and gleefully carted them home.

I definitely wasn't disappointed. Vintage Life is actually just bigger than A5 size and full of home, hair, beauty, old-fashioned cooking and crafty how-tos, gift ideas and vintage fashion. The features included instructions on how to make beautiful sugarpaste roses to top your cupcakes and a retro-style cocktail bar.

So cute! I am definitely in love.

I may have to subscribe.. and order back issues. : )

Burlesque Bible is also a very purdy magazine. It focusses on profiles of current burlesque starlets and pin-ups of bygone eras, beauty how-tos and what burlesque means to different people and in different countries. This is only the second issue, and it's already such a promising mag, so I'm sure it will continue to grow in popularity.

Two sexy-gloved thumbs up! I'm all fired up to see the burlesque competition finals show I've booked with Mr Big this weekend... and have many outfit ideas. : )

Which magazines should I try reading next time?

Have you made any new discoveries?

Query Letter: "Gardening Australia" Magazine

I've had some recent successes with my article pitches to magazines. This was not one of them.

I'm a freelance writer who's been published by magazines including Women's Health & Fitness and Cosmo Bride. Samples of my work are available on my blog, Becks and the City.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single person in possession of a good backyard, must be in want of a garden. The famous opening to Pride and Prejudice could well have been worded this way -- Jane Austen was a keen kitchen and flower gardener.

I'd like to help Gardening Australia devotees navigate the hedge maze of gardening descriptions in Austen's works and the perfectly-manicured lawns, English cottage gardens and parks in an article, "Jane Austen's Garden". Exploring the quintessential flowers, shrubs, herbs, vegetables and trees of the era readily available in Australia today (including violets, gooseberries, lavender, mulberry bushes and more), the article would show how these plants were used in recipes, crafts and other household activities. The article would also contain a break-out box with a step-by-step guide to growing your own literary landscape in the style of Miss Austen.

Coming to 1,000 words, the article would be delivered within three weeks of hearing you are interested.

Yours sincerely,

Rebecca Douglas

Any theories on what went wrong? I thought I was onto a winner with this one.