Hello Hanoi

Random bar in the old quarter

Pensive

Novelty shirt at Alexander Boyd

This, according to my sheltered, Aussie, urban self, is amazing

Sure, there's alot of things of bikes here, but none so smile inducing

Outside the mausoleum- they walked about 100m like this. Cuteness overload.

Army van

Vietnam did bunting before you thought it was cool

Inside the Opera House. Overwhelmingly gorgeous.

Lanterns at Hoan Kiem Lake

I'm finally getting around to uploading some random shots from out and about walking the streets of Hanoi.

I'm trying to get over that "thing" that stops you from taking photos, though sometimes that "thing" is "oh god someone is going to steal my bag".

The Monday Project: They Grouped Under The Lamp Post, Alone

I finally got my act together to submit something for The Monday Project, another creative project similar to Sparkapolooza, but with a month long deadline and harder briefs. It proves great minds think alike!

This months theme was "“They grouped under the lamp post, alone" and this is a quick sketch. I still need to force myself to draw more so I can figure out a style I'm comfortable with but this is a start!

Creatures & Ives

I came across Chip Trout's wonderful project Creatures & Ives on the Make Something 365 blog. I love seeing 365 day projects and always find the commitment completely inspirational.

I haven't started one yet - cause let's face it, no one wants to fail, but seeing these and knowing one is created everyday has brought me a little closer.

Do you know of any other great 365 day projects?

Seeker Lover Keeper : Even Though I'm A Woman

Everything about this song and video is perfect.

Seeker Lover Keeper

Natasha Khan

Right this moment I'm listening to an interview Natasha Khan aka Bat For Lashes on FBI Radio.

It's making me:
1) Feel sad I'm missing out on her show at the Opera House
2) Love her more- she sounds completely down to earth and interesting
3) Feel very inspired- she's been gardening, doing a childrens illustration course and been working with the ballet!

I need to be more awesome now.

Image via The Phoenix

The Pom Pom Factory

These photos are gorgeous! What more can I say? Bring back the pom poms (and that colour green- swoon).

Photos by Beinta á Torkilsheyggi for The Pom Pom Factory.

via Oh Joy

Onra: The Chinoiseries

Before you listen to this, I need you to read the below. Then, put the sound up, turnall distractions off, and step away from the computer for 9 minutes (but not too far obviously). Cause you're worth it.

I started this project August 2006, when i got back from a trip to Viet Nam, the land of my grandparents. As a vinyl junkie, i really couldn't come back to France without bringing back some wax. After hours spent riding on a motorbike in Saigon streets, a taxi finally helped me find some Asian records.

I almost felt like an explorer discovering a forgotten treasure. I bought 30 vinyls, most of them in poor condition, back to the crib, and started making beats with some material i wasn't used to.

I worked on this album through 2007. I think this is the perfect soundtrack to any Hip-Hop head going to South East Asia. It reflects all the different sides of those countries: Raw, sad, culturally rich, amusing, kitsch and romantic.

With a hook like this I knew I was in for something special.

Everyone knows I love music- sometimes in an obsessive "okay I get the point but you're now getting creepy" way. There can be moments where I experience something new and it rocks my world. I vividly remember seeing Seekae for the first time at the now defunct Hopetoun and being completely entranced. It was hot, stuffy, and we were squished out the back and couldn't even see, but through all of this their music managed to stop me in my tracks.

The Chinoi Series by Onra makes me excited- and I love being genuinely excited by new music (new to me anyway, this was released in 2007).

I've mentioned on this blog before about my love of the "nostalgic" genre (I made that up, yep, go ahead and use it) and this embodies it to a tee. Onra's description above is perfect and I couldn't have put it any better. I can see stories play out in my mind listening to it and love the textures and layers it invokes. Perhaps on some level it's something I can relate to- Asian, but not quite. Listening to this interview just makes me love it more.

Excitingly, Onra is playing in Hanoi on June 3rd! Total win. I can't wait.

I hope you love this as much as I do.

* I've since found out that it's not actually The Chinoi Series, but rather The Chinoiseries (one word not two). Chinoiseries in french meaning "little things without much value, and that usually are decorated with a lot of details". Thanks Charlotte!

Seiko Kato

I'm absolutely loving these Seiko Kato collages. They're so bright and fun (though the rest of her portfolio tends to be a little darker). Having seen close-ups of some of her other work, the detail is amazing. I need these on my walls now.

Timothy Karpinski

Loving Timothy Karpinski hardcore. Swoon.

Milk From A Thistle Autumn 2011

If designer Danielle Atkinson could send me everything from her label Milk From A Thistle every season the world would be a much better place (for me anyway).

I always find myself loving her fantastic prints and this is no exception- how great are the horses? I love it when collections look like a whole set too (does that make sense?). I'll have it all.

Stolen Girlfriends Club S/S 2011

I'd be lying if I pretended that the soundtrack to this didn't make me love this Stolen Girlfriends Club video, but nonetheless what a fantastic idea. I love things that are usually reserved for a specific niche taken to the public, and I love surprises even more! It's beautifully shot and captures what would have been an exciting event. My favourite part is the girl busting out some moves in the deli.

I helped out at a Terry Biviano show in a Kennards Self Storage place years ago. What crazy places would you want to have a fashion show?

(p.s. don't the models look giant compared to all the shoppers?)

Bangkoking

En route from Hanoi

What's a birthday party without pin the tail on the donkey? (in 3D)

Dinosaur cake

Spoilt for accommodation

Kickboxing

So clear and efficient

How to make salad fancypants

65 floors up

Oh. This is what people talk about.

Wat Po

Collapsing from the heat

So many reasons to love my boyfriend. This is one of them.

A few (late) photos from our weekend away in Bangkok. I've been to/through Bangkok THREE times before but this is the first time I had a chance to actually do anything. It's a great city and so efficient in so many ways (okay, I've been won over by the public transport), and the girls are all dressed so well! More photos over at my other blog Johnny & Jo.

P.s. The title of this post was a nod to the wonderful blog by Essi Bangkoking. Have a squiz for more gorgeous photos of the city.