Aside

The fields are bright and the women are fearless.

If you ever have the opportunity to spend time in the countryside of Bangladesh, you will be struck by it’s colour. The fields are bright and the women are fearless.

These JW photographs capture courageous, brilliant and innovative women.

These women are passionate teachers; dedicated to giving children the gift of an education, and access to opportunities beyond their villages. These women forge and facilitate social movements that aim to place protections in place for the most vulnerable in their community. They are enterprising; seizing opportunity to generate income and the introduction of vital sanitation initiatives, which reduce early childhood deaths. These women are passionate about change. Change for the future of their communities, their loved ones and the generation to come. These women are women of enduring faith, that stands in the most horrific and heartbreaking circumstances.

On this day, this significant and symbolic day… equity and equality for all is more important than ever. Around the world, the opportunities for women, and the value placed on the contribution of women remains imbalanced. As individuals, communities and nations we have not mastered the balance or achieved the change required. But we must keep trying.

My heritage is rich with women and men who have fought for and been committed to equality and equity for all. They have pushed against social and cultural norms, facilitated access to education and community connection…. They have pursued careers and opportunities without regard to gender stereotypes or expectations… they have loved and given, tirelessly and endlessly, for the benefit of others.

It is hard not to be stirred and moved on this day, by the past and the strides forward, over months and years. On this day, this significant and symbolic day, its timely to reflect and renew our commitment to contributing to change. Change in whatever way we can, large or small, grand or humble…. to keep on keeping on.

The journey is far from over and in some parts of the world is has only just begun.

With heartfelt wishes for a future for all that is fair and opportunity rich.

Gold, jewels and water.

The city that floats, with its magical canals and heart of gold, will capture your creative spirit. The city in all its exquisite wear and tear will draw you in.

Enjoy the seafood, the music, the artisans and opportunities. Celebrate and mark the occasion with champagne for breakfast on St Marks and jewels in the afternoon. Indulge in the romance, marvel at the drama of the history, politics and power battles. Explore and inevitably find yourself lost. Laugh. Eat. Dance. Sear the imagery into your memory. Keep this golden jewel close to your heart. Dream of moving over one day… Because staying as long as you possibly can is never quite enough.

Some dreamy JW photographs from our last visit.

Look up, the mist is rising.

Australian summers are hot. The heat is dry and a dull hum fills the air. People travel over oceans to enjoy this heat, the white soft sand of our beaches and the views from our mountain ranges.

And then suddenly the temperature drops and the rain comes. After days sweltering in the thick air, the cool air bring respite; the nation breathes a sign of relief.

Then the mist rises.

There is nothing quite like summer mist rising through the eucalyptus. The beauty of it all is breathtaking.

The heat will inevitably return again and the beaches will always be there. The summer dream isn’t ruined. Make the most of the interlude and be drawn in by the beautiful Australian landscape. Deep greens, greys and blues…. Endless and magnificent.

Here are a few JW photos taken along the country roads between Melbourne and Daylesford.

Enjoy.

Let’s go down to old Luna Park.

Luna Park is a fitting backdrop for St Kilda. The area buzzes with tourists all year round and the locals are an eclectic blend: contrasting life experiences, challenges and dreams.

The park is so iconic that it is on the Victorian Heritage Register and its features are protected through the National Trust of Australia. The park was the first amusement park built in Australia and is now over 100 years old. The park was developed by J D Williams, who modelled the park on its New York namesake in Coney Island, with similar ethos and design elements.

The entrance is garish and hyper, the rides are rickety and the fairy floss is sickly sweet. The sun shines through the palms and from the infamous scenic railway children shriek with fear and delight.

St Kilda continues to buzz…

Summer reading… war, betrayal and all consuming love.

Many writers have turned their craft and skill to the topic of epic and all consuming love. The longing for love, its presence or its absence …. Our hearts and our lives are largely defined by love.

St. Valentine put his life at risk to wed young lovers in a time when love and devotion was seen as a distraction to the calling of men to war. All for love.

The below JW selection are some of our favourite summer tales of love: Epic love, in times of war, fame, tragedy and betrayal.

Find a comfy nook in some dappled sunlight with your favourite fresh cut flowers in reach (heady and intense with aroma), a glass of sparkling mineral and lime, a box of tissues and an open heart….

Louis de Bernières Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Louis de Bernières vividly paints a tale of intense love and heartbreak against the backdrop of war. The rhythm of the story builds slowly. The complexity and cruelty of humanity is juxtaposed with compassion, grace and courage. It is heart wrenching, brilliant and timeless.

Zadie Smith On Beauty

Contrasting life experiences and perspectives are beautifully captured by Zadie Smith in this accomplished work. She tells a tale that is all too familiar, of long suffering and acceptance… Yet somehow she manages to surprise and shock at every turn. The themes of love, family and devotion are unpacked across cultures and social expectations. Deeply stirring read, beautiful written… Will stay with you for a while.

Salman Rushdie The Ground Beneath Her Feet

The rock goddess and hopeless photographer, calcifying tragedy and spiralling momentum. Humanities obsession with fame and human ‘divinity’. In this masterpiece Sir Salman Rushdie outlines in enticing detail the journey and perspectives of the three protagonists. This book is an ode to love, in all its forms: desperate and pervasive… pure and enduring.

Death is more than love or is it. Art is more than love or is it. Love is more than death and art or not. This is the subject. This is the subject. This is it.

…

All for love.

Meander through the laneways to this.

The laneways of Melbourne are filled with gorgeous boutiques, jewellers, musicians, artists, cafes and restaurants. Spoilt for choice – hours of fun!

In the Degraves Precinct on Flinders Lane you will find Migo’s. It’s a true Melbourne treasure and follows the fine tradition of home style, rustic Italian cooking, with great coffee on the side. The menu includes ‘Seafood pasta to die for!’ and it is, absolutely, to die for!

We love it.

The rainy day treasures of the Centre Pompidou.

The Centre Pompidou offers a welcome retreat from rainy days. Grab a bite and some bubbly at Georges and watch the clouds roll over the rooftops, then submerge yourself in the art.. oh the art!

Here’s a small selection of our favourites; travelling back in time from the 1960 to early 1900s. Our humble snaps don’t really do any of these pieces justice.

Simon Hantai, Meun, 1968 – Hantai used his famous folding method to create this masterpiece. His works capture absence and isolation; using white space and colour in powerful and larger than life statements. The colour and size of Meun is piercing and brilliant.

Jackson Pollock, Number 26 A, Black and White, 1948 – This piece was completed during his most significant few years of creative genius. 1948 consolidated the effectiveness of the ‘drip technique; transforming American art in the twentieth century. Huge, striking and utterly engaging.

Joan Miro, Baigneuse, 1924 – Miro is said to have approached the creative process like words that shape poems, like notes that shape music. This piece was early in his career and was the start of forty years of artworks conceived with fire in the soul but executed with clinical coolness.

Pablo Picasso, Le guitarist, 1910 – This piece is so absorbing. At the early stages (some say the start) of the cubist movement, the approach taken here underpins this significant time in moden art. This is the piece that will cause you to fall utterly in love with genius of Picasso; and provide context for the rest of his broad and magnificent collection.

Steal away out of the rain and enjoy.

A little luxury… how lovely!

We adore a little bit of luxury around the home. Candles bring ambience, a little bit of sparkle and romance.

There are so many beautiful soy and honey wax products available (absolutely no excuse for using the old smokey nasties of the olden days). Thanks to Cote Noir for your beautiful selection.

Just lovely!

Vineyard retreat … ducklings included.

Small family owned vineyards are one of our favourite things. The generations of knowledge and years of perfecting both yield and method very rarely disappoint. Vineyard escapes that include accomodation, cellar door tastings and perhaps even a restaurant are divine all year round.

We could not resist sharing this local treasure with you. If you are partial to sparkling on arrival, a gorgeous breakfast basket of hand picked local produce, lakeside villas with crackling fireplace, restaurant on site with sommelier services and cellar door treats… Crittenden Estate may be just the place for you.

And we must say, there is nothing quite as gorgeous as being greeted by ducklings each morning as the sun rises over the vines.

Thank you Crittenden, such a pleasure indeed.

The language of flowers.

Fragile, perfect and simple. Flowers are timeless when it comes to matters of the heart. Fragrance triggers memory and elevates mood; the fleeting beauty of the gesture is extravagant.

The traditions of exchanging and displaying buxus, lavender and bay leaf wreaths and bouquets to mark significant events passed through generations dating back to Ancient Rome. Arrangements were used to convey messages between lovers with the colours and form of the arrangements brimming with meaning. This expression developed into more structured displays and arrangements during the Baroque. Then later, sweeping and luscious examples emerged during Impressionism and Expressionism movements.

Across cultures and continents, the art and tradition continues to this day.

The preparation and gifting of flowers has always been a deeply personal and intimate ritual. While we now have florists with exceptional skills and techniques to prepare displays for our events, kitchen tables and loved ones… the ritual remains personal… the gift remains intimate… and flowers do and always will remain an utterly exquisite expression of love.

With love from us to you.