When it comes to fashion, I am all about buying vintage, finding bargains and cheap accessories. You will not find a whole wardrobe of designer labels in my wardrobe as I am by no means a label basher (unless I scored it from a second hand store for $10). Certain labels don’t really interest me, the colour/fabric/look/funk factor does.

There is one particular style which I am loving right now.

Think pin up girls from the golden age. 1940’s. 1950’s. These lovely ladies below…

Rita Hayworth. Bettie Page. Marilyn Monroe.

Now, let’s step forward a few years to 2009.

Well as we know, fashion goes around in circles, and this pin up girl ‘look ‘has been revamped into rockabilly/vintage style.

Modern day pin up girls would be along the lines of Dita Von Teese (burlesque dancer), Amy Winehouse (minus the booze problem & drug addiction), Dayna Delux (green-eyed and red-haired model) and some might even say Anna Nicole Smith (ugh!).

So what are the attributes of a modern day pin up? Seems to me its the same seductive eyes, red lips, lengthy lashes,  and peek-a-boo hairstyle; but with an added extra thanks to the new millenium… tattoos (and plenty of em).

Keeping the spirit alive of pin up girls are these ladies from pinupgirlclothing.com …

While being at home, I have been subjected to watching American Idol. Alot of it is cringe-worthy but there was one particular girl who caught my eye. Her name was Emily Wynn Hughes. She is around my age, and is definitely of this ‘new’ vintage pin up style. I love her uniqueness, style, even though she didnt fit into the american idol box. As suspected, Emily did not last long on American Idol. I knew the tweenies would be too scared. And shes not a cute pretty pop boy.

Here’s some pics of her (yes I know, I am THE collage-making queen today!)

Back in my teenage years, I was slightly obsessed with Marilyn Monroe. Every birthday and christmas, I would open gifts full of Marilyn Monroe styled gifts. I watched her old movies. I read books on the whole conspiracy theory on her death (I have my own theory but that’s a different story). To me, she was the epitomy of beauty, sensuality and elegance and loved her look.

I think that’s why I look this look (even though its a more updated one keeping with the times). I know it’s not everyone’s cuppa tea, but what do you think?

Here are my two little babies who enjoy licking my face any chance they get and endlessly running in the fields. When I was away in Europe for a year I missed these two. So much so, that I did dog walking in Edinburgh to fuel my doggie love. One of them was a tiny wee dog that the owner insisted on wearing a coat - the amount of awful comments I got walking down the street (which I could HEAR) about how ridiculous a coat was. Yes, I know, not my choice people.

The French boy took some lovely photos this week (below) of these monkeys. These dogs are like chalk and cheese. Asha is so gentle and caring with a soft personality (she thinks shes more human than dog sometimes) so this photo says it all really. Georgia  has just two things on her mind all times - crumbs (in case anybody happens to drop food) and play. She loves being chased and jumps like a rabbit. Freakin hilarious.

You know what I love about dogs? Unconditional love. It’s just the best.

I was having a looksie through the apartment and job ads on Los Angeles craigslist (kind of the American equivalent to gumtree for you UK peeps) when I came across these live ads below.

You would never ever get away with this in New Zealand (or many other countries for that matter I am sure). If someone advertised a job for “black people” only, or “smart beautiful women”, there would be an uproar! Imagine it.

• VIRGINS AND VIXENS WANTED!!!
• Do You Have Hot, Sex Lips, We Want You$$$$
• ~~~NOW HIRING BLACK PROMOTORS FOR WEEKLY HIP HOP/SPECIAL EVENTS!!~~
• EMPLOYMENT AGENCY SEEKING SMART BEAUTIFUL WOMEN
• Hit REALITY TV Show looking for nerds/geeks

By the way, I think it is important to mention that the advert for the “EMPLOYMENT AGENCY SEEKING SMART BEAUTIFUL WOMEN” clearly states that to be accepted to this recruitment agency for administration work in offices (as ‘eye candy assistants’), you must send them one head shot photo and two full body shots of yourself AND your accurate measurements (specifically states bust-waist-hips). No joke. Apparently “ugly women” or those less fortunate in the boob department need not apply.

Does anyone else think it’s crazy that they can advertise for these?

I never thought I’d say this again, but… “LA here we come. ”

In 3 weeks and 3 days (not that Im counting…!), me and the French boy will be touching down in LA. It will be my second time there. But a few things have changed since 2007. Last time I was passing through on the way to Scotland for a one year working holiday, this time I am passing through on the way to France for a one year working holiday. Last time was a week, this time it’s 3 months. Last time I was travelling with a friend (starting our year long travelling adventure), this time is with my boy’o (and starting another adventure of our own). My good friend I travelled with, Alley belly, now lives in Munich. And me (soon to be), France.

Looking back on the past year of my travels around Europe and how we left as two naive wee kiwi’s back in 2007 in search of something (but not really sure what), I never would have predicted where my life is at now. I guess we never can. But I am so lucky to be free and be able to travel and wander the world. One very lucky bunny.

It was a rainy wet Sunday today so me and the French boy decided to go to the local cinema which plays alot of independent films/documentaries. The cinema contains just 11 old scruffy armchairs in a teeny tiny theatre, so needless to say, it’s very cosy. The film we watched was Religulous. It is a comedy/documentary film with comic Bill Maher tackling a very dangerous and provocative topic… Religion (which by the way, both religion and politics are topics which I believe should never be discussed while drinking alcamahol). Anyway, the movie’s name Religulous rhymes with both ridiculous and incredulous so two guesses what angle the movie is taken from.

Basically this guy Maher travels around the world speaking to those with a range of views on Religion or God. He questions people about their faith and questions the void that is sometimes filled in by people with their own corruptions and limitations and agenda. Such as a guy who believes he IS the living Jesus H. Christ in the flesh and refers to himself as “Jesucristo Hombre“ which translates to “The Man Christ Jesus”. Or a guy who justifies his expensive clothes and jewellery (care of money from the church) by saying they want him to look good and that Jesus wore good quality linen so there’s nothing wrong with being rich from profits of the Church (a good businessman?).

It’s a movie that will make you laugh and make you think, whether you are a believer or not. Sometimes he does cross the line with his sarcasm and is incredibly blunt.

But it did bring a very interesting discussion between me and the French boy as we both have different upbringings and ideas. And I guess if it got us talking, then it made us both think.

The topic of Religion is something which is fragile and needs to be handled with care. But it also opens unlimited discussions on our lives and thoughts. And there’s nothing like a good debate to get your mind going.

I love photographs.

I love the act of taking photographs.

I love the feeling of knowing you have truly captured what you had pictured.

I love seeing other people’s photos that inspire me to take more photographs.

I think once you start enjoying photography, you start to see beauty in different (and small?) things that you may not have seen beauty in before. I know I spend far too much time looking at other people’s photography rather than taking them and that is because I am still very much learning.

I wanted to share three of my favourite photographers at the mo - here are a few collages I have put together of my favourite photos from each of ‘em (and why I like them). So, enjoy x

1. Israeli born Guy Aroch, whose beauty photography is close to perfection - each photo has a light, ethereal, day-dreamy vibe that breathes emotion. Taken from unique angles (lips, eyes, skin), it feels like you are privvy to being inside a private beautiful moment. Each of these individual prints would set you back about €2,500 (that’s around $5725 NZ dollars, $3472 in greenbacks, or £2192 quid!)… so, uh, dreams are free!

2. South African born Warwick Saint captures the art of tattoo photography quite simply and beautifully. He took some of these shots of tattoo artist Julie Becker (dark haired lady below) at a hotel in New York and I think it’s rather funky. A quote from the man himself on this collection… “She is a canvas on which worlds upon worlds have been inked, all co-inciding with perfect harmony. I wanted to capture a feeling of beautiful intimidation”. These wonders are around €4,500 for each print.

3. Haiti born Marc Baptiste is a sparkling gem reigning from the Caribbean. He is not afraid of colour (and bright ones) and his photography is provocative as ever, without being over-the-top-in-your-face-naked-kind-of-sexy. It’s much more subtle. Each print will set you back about €3,500 for each individual print. Phwoar.

I really miss studying philosophy.

I studied it at university a few years back as a side subject to my psychology degree and I loved it. Alot of the topics were controversial and emotion-fuelled (euthanasia, genocide, abortion…) and debates would become so intense in class that at times, people would walk out in tears (if you can imagine people expressing very strong opinions without knowing what people in the room have been through or experienced).

One topic that always intrigued me was Philosophy for Children. I remember watching a video ‘Socrates for six year olds’ which basically encourages children to think as philosophers - aka P4C. To not be afraid to ask questions. We often go through school and believe everything that the teacher/media/parents says and we stop asking questions and being inquisitive. I think this type of philosophical inquiry has merit.

Philosophy begins when children start to question the meaning of words, and exploring different ideas in a ‘detective like’ investigation from a young age. In this case, children generate the ideas they find interesting, not what the adults find interesting.

One the cutest videos I remember watching was a video where children were discussing whether you could love without a heart or think without a brain. You could see the self esteem rising as the children bounced ideas back and forth, listening to the others ideas and really thinking. It’s gorgeous. There’s something magical about watching these children freely discussing their thoughts without fear of rejection. Because they learn from a young age to accept other children’s thoughts and unlike adults, are less self-conscious and will answer almost anything you put to them.

• Freedom - What would life be like if everyone were perfectly free to do what they wanted?
• Intelligence - Is it intelligent not to be scared?
• Power - Can you be powerful without being wealthy?

Obviously the types of questions you ask are age dependent. If you are interested in learning more, you can do some google-ising. If you’d to give it a whirl with your youngsters, you could encourage them to think and question ideas such as the above, and tell us how it goes (warning: may contain funny/hilarious results)

When children learn to listen and to contribute, it’s an intoxicating experience.

Guess what I’ve got in my hot little hands right now… my very own French ‘long séjour’ visa! Which allows me to stay and work in France for a year from September. I sent my application away less than a week ago and here it is - so I am one happy chappy.

This time in four weeks, I will be packing up my life to spend at least 15 months away from home (like I did in 2007 before moving to the UK for a year working holiday). It will be my third Christmas away from home. That is a bit strange. But I will get to discover more of France and the French boy’s country (now that he is here in mine!) by living there and of course we will spend the summer in LA on the way.

I think this calls for a celebratory vino! C’est trop cool!

I think you can tell a lot from a supermarket while travelling.

In the US, I was taken aback by the kid sized pepsi/soft drinks (for kids lunchboxes) and jumbo sized packets of muffins/sugary sweet stuff I’d never heard of.

In Spain, I was taken aback by the incredibly cheap (and good) wine - I’m talking 2 or 3 euros for a scrumptious bottle of vino.

In France, I was taken aback by the fromage department… cheese, cheese, cheeeese. I also had never seen lobsters in tanks before.

In the UK, I was taken aback by the amount of crisps and the variety of flavours from exotic to just plain weird (prawn cocktail, roasted chicken with aioli or sweet thai chilli?) and the orange neon coloured national energy drink Irn-Bru, much more popular than coke in Scotland!

The photo below is one we took in a health salad/sandwich bar in Brighton promising crisps with your salad or baguette (the French boy could not get over the contradiction of having crisps with something healthy and these moments while living in the UK gave him endless opportunity to make fun of English cuisine!)

Many more supermarket adventures later…. I am back to kiwi supermarkets, full of yummy fresh fruit and veges.

I miss the farmers markets in Europe. Bustling, fresh, with interesting flavours from around the world. The French boy and I really loved the Borough Market while living in London, and being able to taste spanish paella, spanish chorizo, and french cheese all within an hour of being at the markets. And the vibrant food markets we stumbled across in Amsterdam, Valencia and other parts of Europe. It’s a good way to get a feel for the community life and spirit.

It’s fun to try new foreign food and it’s one of my favourite things about travelling - sampling the local cuisine and trying new flavours. Variety really is the spice of life!

I don’t know if I am being unnecessarily worried about this so please tell me if I am

You see, my name is Pip. Which is fine in English - sometimes with my kiwi accent, it can be confused with Pat, Pap or Pak, especially when I was living in Scotland for the last year. I can deal with that.

On the other hand, the Frenchies pronounce my name as ‘Pipe’ and this is how all of the French Boy’s friends spell my name when asking how I am in emails etc.

Well apparently the word Pipe has two meanings in the French language. A pipe (as in English, which you smoke, nothing sinister here) but it also means… well… something that a female does to a man. I feel a bit R18 writing it but I am sure you can guess (especially if you know le Français). So I am now a walking talking BJ.

I am moving to France in September and will be introducing myself to French people. After talking to the French boy about this, he assures me that they will only have a wee giggle when they first hear my name but then they will get used to it (oh great!).

I am thinking of changing my name for my time in France.

Any ideas?