Gelato, seafood and pasta, pasta, pasta….

Italy is intoxicating, in the best possible way.

The dramatic cliffs, the vineyards and fresh produce, the endless gelato and seafood. Explore by sea, and drink it all in…

Italy will take your heart. Long after you’ve found your way home you will subconsciously find yourself having slightly stronger coffee, basil and fresh tomatoes, or baked tomatoes or dried tomatoes and meat in all its forms will become staple. If you haven’t already, you will master the art of the aperitif. You are likely to take to hosting your loved ones more frequently and freely in the home. Perhaps taking more time to celebrate fully… with heart and passion and music… and with lots and lots of food. You won’t mind freckles, or deep tans or erratic grey hair as much…or extra curves and smile lines, because they are signs of a rich and well lived life.

Oh Italy, it’s love.

Sip a limoncello and dream a little dream… A few JW photographs of our beloved Cinque Terre. Taken from sea, after enjoying an amazing seafood feast of course.

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Chasing the sun.

There is something about the sun. Everything slows just a little. Conversations meander, crowds linger and breakfast turns into lunch turns into dinner…. We all need a little heat and relaxation in our lives. While the local beach or river can do the trick, and sneaky weekends away are divine… there is nothing quite like escaping to a resort island to completely unwind and refresh.

Malaysia offers a myriad of stunning summer escapes, particularly during dry season (December to February). Langkawi Permata Kedah is a jewel. The sparkling sapphire and turquoise oceans, white sands, islands to explore, tall palms, fragrant tropical flowers and fresh fruits of Langkawi will certainly hit the spot. And if you happen to have a rush of adrenaline and manage to drag yourself away from languid days by the ocean (sigh) … the local markets, famed Malaysian cuisine and forests are a fine diversion.

For those who aren’t able to steal away for an indulgent escape this season, our heavenly selection of JW photographs give you a taste.

A bitten foot has never been so captivating!

The Italian masters ability to make marble appear soft and supple as silk or skin baffles the mind. It is an artist accomplishment, and the pieces are utterly timeless.

The work of Lorenzo Bartolini is no exception. He trained in Paris with Jacques-Louis David (1748–1825), alongside Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1780–1867) and Pierre-Nolasque Bergeret (1782–1863). His working studio was at the Convent of the Capuchines on the Rue de la Paix. Lorenzo established his skills training and working Paris for over 15 years; with commissions directly from Napoleon I and family.

The Nymph with a Scorpion (1843–44) will take your breath away; cradling her foot so naturally, and with her skin so supple and soft. Acquired by the Musee du Louvre in the early 90s, this magnificent work and others are available for all to see. Or you can enjoy JW black and white stills below.

The piece is really oh so exquisite. Enjoy.

It was a different time. She hid from the fame.

Monroeville Alabama in the 1930s was a strange place to grow up. Nelle (pronounced Nell-ie) Harper Lee watched her father advocate for the marginalised and despised of the community: unprotected by law and segregated because of their skin.

As a young woman Nelle moved to New York. She explored various vocations before settling on writing. Gifted a years salary by dear friends, she was able to turn her mind and heart to writing, and only writing.

To Kill a Mockingbird was the magnificent result. Presented to the world it received international acclaim, first as a novel and then film.

In To Kill a Mockingbird Nelle gave a gift to the world by articulating with such simplicity and power the brutal injustice that life can bring… Her novel inspired and inspires the courage to keep fighting for justice. She wrote what she knew and what she had seen.

Now decades later, the sequel Go Set a Watchman is likely set to follow…

The sequel was her first novel, apparently too blunt for the publishers of the day. When asked to publish it following the success of To Kill a Mockingbird she refused: not interested in repeating the fame and focus of the first.

It was a different time. Her heart was only in her craft.

Controversy abounds with rumours of the found manuscript and release. Yet the sequel is her first work. It is significant. It is likely to be another gift; Another timeless tale of the struggle for justice where injustice is relentless.

Here’s hoping that Nelle can hide away…Here’s hoping that she can enjoy the coming years with dignity and enjoy her life in peace. Here’s hoping that she knows that she is an international treasure: and she has changed us all through her craft.

Much love and heartfelt thanks to you, Nelle Harper Lee.

Since writing this snippet, Nelle Harper Lees lawyers have released a statement from her that “I’m alive and kicking and happy as hell with the reactions to Watchman!”.

Glad to hear it!

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Copyright © 2011 Getty Images.

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Everybody needs a little sugar … Oh la la Laduree!

Nestled in the glamour and glitz of the Avenue des Champes-Élysées is the divine Laduree. Wander through the iconic doorway to find luscious pastries, cakes and exquisite interiors …. J’Adore!!

The magic began in the southwest of France in 1862 when Mr. Louis Ernest and Mrs. Jeanne Laduree, passionate intellectuals, bastions of free speech and social progress, and millers, established a bakery.

It was an era of fierce intellectualism, new architecture and Baron Hausmann leading the “new face” of Paris… The Laduree bakery was a destroyed in a (suspect) fire. In response to this slight, the Laduree family forged brave social and culinary innovation.

The famous artist Jules Cheret was commissioned and designed the celadon green, brass and gold detailing. Jeanne’s proposal to combine a traditional Parisian cafe and Patisserie with a Salon de The was unprecedented. In a time where women were prohibited from cafes, Jeanne’s Salon de The provided a exquisite (and instantly popular) meeting place for women intellectuals, artists and innovators.

In the 1930s, the next generation of the Laduree family produced the double layered macaron. The young Mr. Pierre Desfontaines took the 18th century macaron recipe, formed two shell of macaron and filled the perfectly formed shells with ganache.

This signature delicacy quickly gained fame throughout Europe and continues to be the beloved jewel of the Laduree…

C’est le paradis sur terre!

The magical works of Miso.

If you have wandered the streets of Melbourne anytime in the past few years you most likely would have come across the lovely and emotive works of the brilliant Stanislava, the artist known as Miso.

Starting her creative career as a backyard tattoo artist, Stanislava has extended her artwork to capture the soul of the streets. Miso is adored for the beautiful creations she has shared with the laneways and doorframes of her home town. Using tiny markings in paper, cut outs and intricate illustrations, her works are reminisce of a different era, evocative and powerful.

Melbourne loves her. And you will too.

Rumour has it that if you happen to join Stanislava for a wine one weekend, you may be fortunate enough to go home with a spontaneous and original Miso tattoo…

In the meantime, here are some treasures to enjoy.

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Ever irreverent Mr. Jean Paul Gaultier.

His iconic designs for Madonna’s Blonde Ambition tour that brought him international renown was only 8 years after he established his own design house.

JPG falls into step with other designers who combined creativity with a dedication for social justice – intuitively determined to break ground. Namely his fight against aids and being made a Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur for pushing creative and process boundaries.

Determined to redress gender discrimination through his chosen craft, “only happy when there is no discrimination”…. His touring exhibit gives us a retrospective insight into how he has influenced and continues to influence mainstream fashion over the past three decades.

Enjoy.

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My island home and yours.

Beaches, national parks and hiking trails…. Australia is truly an island that spoils us with natural wonders and spectacular beauty. And it’s home.

The decision this month to award native title to almost seventy percent of the Eyre Peninsula is significant for the Barngarla people, South Australia and everyone who calls this island home. The decision was long overdue and followed almost 20 years of establishing evidence to support the claim, consideration and argument.

The idea that a connection to land can be proven to be extinguished astonishes and challenges. A sigh of relief was apparently heard when the implications of the decision became clear: the connection has not been extinguished, “we can still call this place of our heart and history ours…”

The anthropological and international significance of the culture, history and contribution of the traditional owners of this island home is remarkable.

It’s been a clumsy road, fraught with difficulty… But this decision opens a way for co-habitation to be acknowledged without undermining claim to native title. It’s one more step in the right direction. Hopefully the next one won’t be so overdue.

Summer reading.. escapism, grief and family.

Pure escapism with Marian Keyes

A very light, enjoyable and relaxing offering from Marian in 2014. This is a very different novel to her previous heavyweight literary offerings, but it hit the spot during the hard earned summer break. Classic romance, betrayal, family dramas and a dash of celebrity flare… Absolutely perfect in between lazy lunches, ocean dips and yes, another slice of watermelon would be lovely.

Grief and a little close to home with Helen Garner

Admired and challenging is Helen Garners ability to look utter tragedy in the face and write about it. Her account of this tragic and perplexing case is no exception to her ability to take readers on a journey with her, through the myriad of processes and formalities of the court room, to understand or continue to wonder about how could this actually happen. Most people living in Victoria heard about the case well before the novel was released, and the shock of such an awful tragedy so close to home was felt across the community.

Family dysfunction and a young woman’s journey with Kate Atkinson

Revisiting a classic is a summer tradition, this copy was still sandy and slightly undone from almost ten years being shared. Obviously her first novel and acclaimed internationally, it remains a poignant, beautiful and witty account of a young woman’s journey through life and family.

New year new adventures.

For this exciting new collaboration the new year poses lots of opportunities… for intellectual inquiry, creative expression and geographic exploration.

Meander and enjoy.

Jen and Willa

Menu

Gelato, seafood and pasta, pasta, pasta….

Chasing the sun.

A bitten foot has never been so captivating!

It was a different time. She hid from the fame.

Everybody needs a little sugar … Oh la la Laduree!

The magical works of Miso.

Ever irreverent Mr. Jean Paul Gaultier.

My island home and yours.

Summer reading.. escapism, grief and family.

New year new adventures.