Here comes the sun

Well Miss Rosanna is heading north for that long awaited holiday in the sun.  Not planning on doing much at all except eating, sleeping, reading, going to the beach and perhaps a bit of exercise as well.  Lots happening between now and the end of the year and I'll be back in a couple of weeks with more news and some new local profiles.

Image via Yogawoman

For those of you with an interest in yoga, the Melbourne premiere of Yogawoman is being held next Thursday 3 November at Cinema Nova in Carlton at 7 pm.  Tickets are $25 per person and even better, proceeds will be donated to one of my favourite charities 1 Million women.

One for the kids

Image via Banyule Arts and Culture Facebook page

It's actually Children's Week this week (although when you're a parent it's Children's Day every day).  There is another upcoming festival for the kids I forgot to mention - the 2011 Malahang Community Festival on Sunday 13 November from 11 am - 4 pm (weather permitting).

Image via Banyule City Council

This free family event is held at Malahang Reserve on the corner of Southern and Oriel Roads in Heidelberg West.  On offer will be belly dancing, singers, a hip hop workshop, an African drumming performance and lots of roving entertainment, free face painting and other art activities.  More information including the full program at www.banyule.vic.gov.au/events.

Miss Melbourne

Image via Tot: Hot or Not

A big shout out today to Joyce Watts from the Mel: Hot or Not blog - she's mentioned me on her blog today as she's been out to review Miss Marie cafe in good old Rosanna.  I swear the owners should be paying me commission!  And I don't know how Joyce does it - she actually runs two other blogs - Tot: Hot or Not (she had a baby girl earlier this year) and Cycle Style which sells gorgeous bicycle accessories.  Oh and did I mention her day job as a lawyer as well?

The other thing I wanted to mention is an African drumming class now being held in Eltham.  Ray Pereira - who's well known around Melbourne (other classes are held at Footscray, Fitzroy and Brunswick) - has just started new beginners courses on this side of town.  I love a bit of percussion and think chicks on drums are pretty cool.  Call 0403 198 223 or visit www.raypereira.com for details.

Hot and sweaty

Granny Annie is down from Queensland and we celebrated her birthday at the beautifully restored Studley Park Boathouse in Kew yesterday.  While I've been to the Fairfield Boathouse a number of times in recent years, it's been a long time since I've gone to Studley Park.

Image via White Pages

It was beautiful (but warm!) yesterday and I had forgotten how lovely it is down there as you come off the boulevard past Yarra Bend park and head down to the river.  Mum had booked the cafe but you can also book the restaurant (think there's a maximum of 20).  For $35 a head, you get a main and dessert which is great value and the food is very good.  They also have a kids menu and the venue is a lot more upmarket than Fairfield - really picturesque.  There was even a wedding taking place on the opposite side of the river.

Just remember to wear comfy clothes and sensible shoes if you go as if, like us, your kids then scream for their first boat ride you'll be suitably attired.  Mr Rosanna and I were dressed up so both of us were uncomfortably hot and sticky by the end of our half hour boat ride which cost $22.

Friday inspiration

Besides having an interest in fashion itself, I also love fashion illustration.  One of my favourite illustrators is Kat Mcleod - she of the Michi Girl website.  I've already got one of her limited edition prints as well as a tea set from Heide Museum.

Dom by Kat Mcleod

She's just launched her latest exhibition catalogue called 'Page Girls' which features original illustrations and limited edition prints from her last two books as well as merchandise.  You can buy her work on the Lamington Drive website - would make a lovely gift for someone special this Christmas.

Spring festivities

I've been a bit busy with my day job and looking after two little boys but back on track today. 

Eltham Idol image via www.elthamfestival.org.au

The other upcoming festival I wanted to mention is the Rotary Eltham Town Festival - an annual event which is being held the weekend of November 17 & 18 this year.  Sounds like another great event for the family and the weather will be starting to warm up just in time.

Image via Only Melbourne

Speaking of outdoors, the Monty Farmers Market is on this Saturday and is held the fourth Saturday of every month at 60A Rattray Road, Montmorency.

Monty Farmers Market image via www.mymarketsvic.com.au

Manningham

I grew up in Bulleen and Doncaster - both of which are in Manningham.  There's quite a bit happening in the area next month including a Manningham Artists Studio Tour on Saturday 5 November from 11 am - 4 pm.  The tour departs from Manningham Gallery on Doncaster Road, Doncaster and bookings are essential on 9840 9367. This event is part of the Spring Outdoors program of environmental events.

Image via www.manningham.vic.gov.au

The Manningham Multicultural Festival 'One Voice' is also being held on Saturday 12 November at Ruffey Lake Park, George St, Doncaster from 11 am - 5 pm.  This is a free community event celebrating the cultural diversity of Manningham with lots of activities including a main stage, community expo, cultural arena, market place, family fun space, dreaming space and international food court.  Sounds like a great day out for the family.

Herbs and spices

Mr Rosanna and I found ourselves at Bunnings on the weekend along with half of Melbourne.  The boys loved it of course - there's nothing like an indoor playground, running amok in the nursery and eating sausages in bread.  Even better, there was a DJ in the house, outside jumping slide shaped like a pirate ship and free balloons and fairy floss - it doesn't get any better than that when you're 5 and under...

We actually bought our annual supply of tomato, basil, parsley and coriander seedlings to plant into our vegie garden and pots on the deck.  I've decided to be a bit creative and have also found an old teapot to use as well.

Counting down the days to our holiday in the sun.  There's actually a heap of things on (notwithstanding some fancy big horse race) while we're away, including the start of many local Spring festivals.  More tomorrow.

A weekend in Nillumbik

Image via Affirm Press

A couple of things on this weekend if you're out and about.  The seventh annual World Matters Festival 2011 is being held October 14 - 16.  A special launch of 'the boy and his crocodile' (a profit-for-purpose) kid's book with Miles Franklin Award Winning Author Kim Scott is being held from 12 - 1 pm at The Barn at Montsalvat on Saturday as part of the festival.

Image via NTA Tourism

The Open Cellars of Nillumbik - Festival of Wine is also on this weekend.  Seventeen boutique wineries will be open from 11 am to 5 pm with no entry charge or tasting fee.  A number of them will also feature exhibitions from local artists including pottery, photography, painting and textiles.  Have a great weekend!

Green is the new black

Image via Warringal Conservation Society

A little late getting onto things today - it's been such a beautiful day weather-wise and I've been spending time outside.  Speaking of which, a Create a Sustainable Garden workshop will be held tonight at Preston Shire Hall and next Thursday night at the Banyule Community Health Centre.  Registration is essential - online at www.sustainablecommunities.vic.gov.au or email sustainablecommunities@darebin.vic.gov.au.

Also a reminder that the Practically Green Festival on sustainable living is being held at Edendale Farm in Eltham on Sunday 23 October.

Finally, I picked up a brochure for the Warringal Conservation Society the other day - it's a not for profit organisation founded in 1970 whose members are commited to protecting, restoring and rehabilitating the natural environment in Banyule and beyond.  More on their website www.warringal.org.au or email warringal3084@gmail.com.

Alice in Wonderland

I spent the day in Eltham today - went into the Eltham Bookshop to pick up some books I'd ordered from Meera.  It's a gorgeous shop that sells some lovely things besides books.  Cards by local artists and gifts as well.  I loved the The Dharma Door book bags made by Bangladeshi women - the large ones can also be used as iPad covers.

Wallpaper Hare by Jessica Page

I also dashed into The Light Factory Gallery to see Phillip Sayers and Jessica Page.  I fell in love with one of Phillip's cityscapes of Melbourne and three of Jessica's seven artworks sold in the space of an hour while I was there.  One woman bought the work above as a gift for her baby daughter which is a beautiful sentiment.  Jessica is definitely a new talent to watch. 

Meeting Pool image via Montsalvat

Lastly, I met the lovely Jeannette Davison for lunch at Montsalvat's Meeting Pool restaurant.  The space is quite intimate, the food is good, there's a great big outdoor courtyard (although it is a breezy walk to the public toilets) and I love the wandering peacocks and big ducks and geese all huddled up when you enter the grounds - it's like walking into a different time and place.

Nb. Miss Rosanna is The Light Factory Gallery's freelance PR consultant.

Modern love

There's a new exhibition opening at The Light Factory Gallery in Eltham from tomorrow which showcases the work of two local artists - Phillip Sayers and Jessica Page.

The short cut by Phillip Sayers

Phillip's very modern, urban streetscapes of Abbotsford would look great in the mid-century home.  His exhibition also includes landscapes and nudes.  He also uses interesting recycled supports (similar to some of the Heidelberg School artists) such as floorboards, old wooden cigar and cheese boxes.  

Snail woman by Jessica Page

Jessica Page had a sell out show at the Community Art Space in Eltham last year.  Her gorgeous, detailed biro works have a touch of  'Alice in Wonderland' about them - there are just 7 works in her exhibition with a number of high quality prints also available.

Capping off the exhibition are some striking bronze sculptures by Eva Ermer.  Entry is free and the exhibition runs until 6 November.

Nb. Miss Rosanna is The Light Factory Gallery's freelance PR consultant

Duality

Image via Banyule City Council

...is the concept for this year's Banyule Award for Works on Paper - the finalists (including a local person from Montmorency) are soon to be announced.  Duality covers the exploration of two sides in the real or imagined world.  The Banyule Award is an acquisitive prize of $4000 which is held biennially - there is also a People's Choice Award of $500.

The Award exhibition will be held at the Banyule Arts Space in November and it's important to note that Banyule actually has its own contemporary art collection particularly distinguished by its collection of works on paper.  For more information, please contact Art Collection Curator Claire Watson at arts@banyule.vic.gov.au or on 9457 9851.  I'm looking forward to seeing it!

Soul food

School holidays are coming to a close and I'm jealous of all my friends who've escaped to beach houses.  My days have been filled with playdates and not getting much work done at all.  Mr Rosanna and I are going to have a little break at the end of this month so I won't complain any further.

Ada Bird PETYARRE image via Art Guide Australia

There are a couple of other things I wanted to mention.  Gooch's Utopia: collected works from the Central Desert is currently on at The Bundoora Homestead Art Centre (a historic house, gallery and cafe) until 23 October.  Some of the work is absolutely beautiful.

If you're an Italophile like myself, you may be interested in the OAE Community Kitchen Cooking Sessions with Teresa Oates (author of Mangia! Mangia!).  There's a pasta making workshop on Thursday 13 October and a Christmas workshop on Thursday 17 November.  Both workshops will be held in the evening at $50 per person.  Bookings and enquiries on 9450 2665.

Outdoor adventures

Image via Diamond Village Craft Market

Just a reminder about a few things on this weekend.  The Diamond Village Craft Market is on this Saturday from 9 am - 1 pm.  This craft market in Watsonia has been running for a number of years and is held on the second Saturday of every month.  It's also held undercover if the weather is inclement.  The Take 2 Market is also on this Sunday at the Hawthorn Town Hall where you can also pick up a copy of the OpShop Guide Victoria which has just been published.

Image via OpShop Guide Victoria

The other thing that's on is the 'On the Hill Festival' in Panton Hill.  It's a big day out for the family with live music, food and entertainment.  The festival starts at 11 am and features Music in the Park, free kids entertainment and craft and cooking stalls.

Amore

Image via Miss Marie Cafe

How beautiful is the weather today?  Mr Rosanna and I dropped into Miss Marie for coffee and toast this morning and it was absolutely glorious walking down the street bathed in sunshine.  I've been feeling jet-lagged since daylight savings began so had my second coffee before 10am...

Picked up a couple of leaflets while I was in there - one on yoga in Heidelberg offering Beginner to General level as well as Pre Natal yoga.  Call Soozie Servinis if you're interested on 0425 705 775 or visit www.findyoga.com.au/teacher/YogainHeidelberg.

The other was on Italian Language and Cultural Classes called Passport to Italy in North Balwyn.  Call Mirella on 0414 606 303 or Giuliana on 0411 119 772 if you'd like further information or visit www.passporttoitaly.com.au - they offer small classes for adults and travellers for beginners and intermediate level.

Girls just wanna have fun

Did I have a good time on Saturday night?  Oooh yeah.  Nothing like a bit of 80s music and fashion to make you feel young again.  The sad thing is that 80s is back in style again so some of the 'costumes' the other girls were wearing were bought new from chain stores and $2 shops!

Here's a pic of the birthday girl Fizz (above) channeling Jennifer Beals in Flashdance (she's also a great dancer in real life) - lovin' the 80s hair (was her real hair and not a wig!) and makeup.

The other pic (above) is of my girlfriend Nik and me - Nik's wearing a vintage Kenzo top - unfortunately you can't see her leopard skin pants and wicked black boots in this pic - but I reckon she wore the outfit of the night, after the birthday girl.  And for me - it was all about channelling Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan - I managed to get my entire outfit bar my headband and fingerless gloves from Savers Greensborough.  Cool fun!