In the past I've made these kind of lists and they've been pretty unrealistic and unachievable. I don't know why I do that to myself - it's like self sabotage. I think the things on these lists should be challenging, but not impossible. So, this is my realistic list for the following year. I feel excited about the things on this list.

1. wear red lipstick every day.
2. make a photo album - well, i started one!
3. keep an art journal and fill it with good things - pregnancy journal.
4. record a song (and share it online).
5. go back home to Newcastle, see old friends, spend quality time with family, get hitched! enjoy every moment.  had a lovely, fun time & got to go back to Newcastle twice.
6. go roller skating.
7. put plans in place to leave the country (#1 get my passport, #2 pick a destination, #3 start saving).
8. make another zine and/or get some postcards printed.
9. finish my second full year of university (with at least a credit average).
10. learn to use Illustrator/better my design skills.
11. buy some really good records to play on my record player -

• Young Americans - David Bowie
• The Cars - The Cars.
• The Beach Boys - Greatest Hits

12. bake a pie from scratch and/or attempt a multi-layered cake.
13. take at least 3 rolls of film.
14. play music in front of people again.
15. cook a new recipe every month. - no evidence of this, but i'm sure i managed it.
16. try out the gym i ride past every day/have a regular fitness regimen. - gym joined!
17. plant some vegetables in our garden (and hopefully eat some of them too)
18. borrow a car for a day and take C for a drive to the Great Western Tiers or to the beach
19. learn a new craft. - woodcut prints!
20. open a new Etsy shop (and make fun things for it).
21. travel to Melbourne.
22. see a band I like play live (nothing ever comes to Tasmania). - they might be giants




I was inspired by the lists of Elizabeth, Kaelah, Elsie & Andrea.
Do you have a birthday list too? Care to share?

+ cut paper paste 

+ buying my cats engraved heart shaped name tags.
+ sending off important (exciting) documents.
+ a bag of malteasers to oneself.
+ making a schedule for my day and getting stuff done.
+ bicycle compliments.
+ making soup.
+ singing for the first time in a long time.
+ organising my collage supplies.
+ a nice long bicycle ride.
+ good hair days (they're a rarity).
+ the fact that my best friend is staying in the country and found a daggy, retro apartment to rent - I can't wait to help her nest.
+ a clean work space.
+ giggling to new girl.
+ spaghetti with garlic oil, parmesan and parsley.
+ finding some usa quarters and looking at the information about each state on the back (will probably sound like the most boring thing ever to americans, but now I'm obsessed! need more quarters!)

+ Stories for Bedtime - Ceal Warnants.

+ I really enjoyed checking out Don Draper's new digs for the latest season of Mad Men. I love that some of the props for on set were gathered from Etsy, Ebay and Craigslist.
+ I loved clicking through Apartment Therapy's 17 Musician's Bedrooms. I love Elton John's bedroom!
+ I've enjoyed checking out this list of The 101 Most Useful Websites - a lot of them are worth bookmarking.
+ Delightfully Tacky wrote a great post about her 10 Tips for Travelling Well - super useful.
+ Lisa Currie's Scribble Diary is due to come out very soon, but in the meantime you can print out and doodle in her templates.
+ Kate shared a bundle of scans of cute 1960s girls with pretty hair-dos, for use for whatever you'd like.
+ I just signed up for Art House Co-Op's Chronicle Project, wherein participants document a single day on a postcard. Want to sign up too?

+ Paul McMillan

This week I chose the idea: Research a celebration ritual from another culture.
I am really fascinated by Mexican culture and iconography - so I thought I'd do a bit of research about the Dia de los Muertos/Day Of The Dead. I pretty much only know the basics of this celebration and I'd love to be a bit more enlightened on the subject.

The Basics:
The Day of the Dead is a Spanish holiday celebrated in Mexico and other countries. The celebration on November 1st - 2nd brings family and friends together to gather and focus on lost loved ones. Those celebrating the Day of the Dead often build private altars honouring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, favourite food and beverages and items belonging to the loved one and and visit the graves of the departed with these gifts. The intent of the celebration is to connect with the souls of the dead, hoping that they will hear they're prayers and answer them with guidance. Celebrations can often take a humorous tone, as those who celebrate remember funny events and anecdotes about their departed loved ones.

Can you add anything to my research? Is there a particular celebration ritual from another culture that fascinates you?