sense of calm

Good morning to you.

This very moment I am working on my final uni assignment for the year, and whilst I am pottering away I am listening to a CD that I made on the 21st February 2007. Now I know that is quite some time ago, but listening to it is truly making my night (well, wee hours). I must have been in a good place in my life then, so I thought I should share the track list with you and see if you get the same fulfillment.


Calm - 21 Feb 2007

Lifeline - Brooke Fraser
Explain - Sarah Blasko
Pictures (Tonite Only Remix) - Sneaky Sound System
Always On This Line - Sarah Blasko
You Can Sleep While I Drive - Melissa Etheridge
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - The Police
Early Winter - Gwen Stefani
Dear Mr President - Pink
The Garden's End - Sarah Blasko
For You - Sarah Blasko
Crying - Roy Orbison
Lonely - Shannon Noll
Science Is Golden - The Grates
Trouble Sleeping - Corinne Baliey Rae
Songbird - Eva Cassidy
Dream A Little Dream - Tom Bennett & k.d. lang
Don't Know Why - Norah Jones
Other Side Of The World - KT Tunstall
Breathe In Now - George

1.30am now, and my morning continues...

buzzing with delight

It has been far too long since my last post. And what a period in my life it has been! Exciting, challenging, upsetting, unruly, ecstatic... and the list goes on. But now I feel it is the time to settle, to plan and to conquer. I'm in a Piscean daydream reverie today, with lunchtime escapes into The Secret Life of Bees and musings of owning my own book shop/boutique design studio and redezvousing with Jas at The Dust Jacket...

My positivity is oozing into my work here in the MAPGraphics studio...

wishing you a wonderful day!

x

my sound of now

As I sit here in my lounge room, perusing and contemplating, my thoughts are accompanied by Dallas Green's (aka. 'City and Colour') latest album. Bring Me Your Love. What I need right now.

Check him out.

http://www.cityandcolour.ca

i wish

I was just reading Taza's blog and apart from that - my day was full of quite intense thoughts. Thoughts of uncertainty, of excitement, of having another cup of coffee, of wishing I was in the Glasshouse Mountains enjoying the view and the soft spring breeze.

My life is, again, in transition. More so than it has been in a while I guess. Only months ago, the very words of this cute image is what I WISHED for. I now feel like... it's getting there.

It's a strange feeling, when you know you're in between places. The place you've known and held onto for so long, the bit in 'limbo' or the present that doesn't quite make sense, and the unknown - what is to come. Curiosity and nervousness... and a pinch of excitement just about sums up my feelings at the moment.

Where to from here you say? I can't possibly tell you anything, but put one foot in front of the other... and follow your heart. It's always more truthful than your mind.

x to life with love.

image courtesy of http://www.taza-and-husband.blogspot.com
the rockstar diaries

sixty-eight seconds

My debut in film... well, sixty-eight second short film. My gorgeous friend Riham, directed, edited and produced 'Let's Go' as an assignment for university. We filmed it last Tuesday night in Brisbane City, just off Queen Street.

I'm so excited.

Congratulations Riham! Here's to many more successes!

:)

Check it out.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=118542759929&comments=&mid=1027057G2c866401G26939daG1e

cut the crap

I finally did it. Quite literally. Cut the crap... out of my hair. A change for the better... to be taken as a personality holiday. My beloved long hair (which was at about my belly button) was given to the floor of Oscar&Oscar at around 12noon today.

After getting home and freaking out, I've gradually become calmer and have begun to embrace this radical change.

It really is a wee bit exciting... what do you think?

Happy Saturday evening to you
x

losers, weepers

You may be either/or, if you miss out on this fabulous event.

It will be oozing innovation and creativity. Exciting, isn't it? Delicious.

And just ForTheQuillAndInk! - Jott it in your journal!

:D

love for london

I have been on quite a musical journey of discoveries of late. From City And Colour, hey:carlisle, Florence And The Machine to the lovely Miss Adele from the UK.

Sitting here in the studio, as I do so many times a week travelling the world through my cartography, I have had one particular song on repeat for the last little while. A raw recording of 'Hometown Glory', previously accompanied by as many Adele tracks as I could possibly get my mittens on this morning.

Her voice and melodies are beautiful. Soul, funk, soul, acoustic... enchantement.

The song tells of her love for London, and it has made me think about my hometown, Inverell, and how gorgeous it must be this time of year... So I encourage you to get a hold of this track, if not - Adele's debut album '19'.

Today is a calm and beautiful day.

Enjoy the track, enjoy the lyrics.

Hometown Glory by Adele Adkins

I've been walking

In the same way as I did

Missing out

The cracks in the pavement

And tutting my heel

And strutting my feet

"Is there anything

I can do for you dear?

Is there anyone I can call?"

"No and thank you, please Madam

I ain't lost, just wandering"

Round my hometown

Memories are fresh

Round my hometown

Ooh, the people I've met

Are the wonders of my world

Are the wonders of my world

Are the wonders of this world

Are the wonders of my world

I like it in the city

When the air

Is so thick and opaque

I love to see everybody

In short skirts

Shorts and shades

I like it in the city

When two worlds collide

You get the people

And the government

Everybody taking

Different sides

Shows that we ain't gonna stand shit

Shows that we are united

Shows that we ain't gonna take it

Shows that we ain't gonna stand shit

Shows that we are united

Round my hometown

Memories are fresh

Round my hometown

Ooh, the people I've met

Are the wonders of my world

Are the wonders of my world

Are the wonders of this world

Are the wonders of my world

http://www.adele.tv

happiness

...has just breathed a sigh into my Saturday morning.

My beautiful cousin Casey, got married recently to Mr David Castro, in Shakespeare's Garden in Central Park, New York City. And today I have received my first Wedding pictures to peruse. I am so incredibly happy for them. Love is such a beautiful and extraordinary thing. I can see it in everything they share.
(oh - I'm gushing)... but that's what family does to you.

Happy Wedding. Happiest love.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Castro.

xx

calm

Should I take it as an omen, this feeling of calm?
I have had such a productive day and am feeling quite balanced.

I believe I may have even had an epiphany with my latest advertising concept... what more could this little des. student want? :)

Feeling good. Now - must rest my wee head.

Goodnight Sunday, hello Monday.
x

bazaar bemusement

Last night while I was artistically embellishing my room, Jess and I stumbled across a random conversation topic - the classic ABC kids television show 'Round The Twist'. We sang bits of the song reminiscing, and laughed at how bazaar the story lines were. Ah, memories. So I couldn't pass up the opportunity to post the zaney theme song lyrics here on FOR THE QUILL AND INK.

Truth beit, some days you never know what's going to inspire you!

Round The Twist
written by Andrew Duffield, sung by Tamsin West

Have you ever, ever felt like this?
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?

Have you ever, ever felt like this?
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?

Well have you heard the word,
About the bird and the spider.
That wiggled and wriggled
And giggled inside her?

Have you ever, ever felt like this?
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?

Have you ever, ever felt like this?
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?

If all the king's horses
And all the king's men,
Couldn't put me back together again.
I'd say...

Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day.

Have you ever, ever felt like this?
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?

Have you ever, ever felt like this?
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?

Rain, rain, go away,
Come again another day.

I can hear myself say,
This is not my day.
I'm saying what the hey,
You won't believe me anyway!

I can hear myself say,
This is not my day.
I'm saying what the hey,
You won't believe me anyway!

Have you ever, ever felt like this?
(Rain, rain, go away, come again another day.)
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?

Have you ever, ever felt like this?
(Rain, rain, go away, come again another day.)
Have strange things happened,
Are you going round the twist?

Going round the twist...

worth your time

Something to remember. You can always help, be an ear, a helping hand, a shoulder or just a good chat. A movie-goer, a cupcake maker, a Sunday jogging buddy.

http://www.thebutterflyfoundation.org.au/how_to_support

space-cadet

My room is finally the creative space I need it to be. I have adorned my walls with my art and inspiring pieces from admired artists, as well as a few memorable photographs to keep me positive through my working moments.

At home today, then off for a business/social (it's always social) meeting with Jess, and then off to watch my old hockey team play this afternoon. I miss playing so much - I can't wait to be there cheering them on!

Uni and Oliver Twist both beckon for my attention and the temptation of Sportgirl shopping is drawing me in. But I must say NO, today at least - even to the gorgeous new in-store arrivals... I'm already conjuring up amazing outfits in my mind with each of these desired accessories. Hopeless! Haha. Confessions of a shopaholic? Perhaps...

And so I have many a thing to do today. I must be off!

Happy Saturday!

OH! and I would like wish my beautiful cousin, Casey and her fiancé Dave, a GORGEOUS WEDDING this Saturday in New York City. May love follow you around every corner!
Love you!

bang-bang!

This lady right here, inspires me - not only with her blog therockstardiaries, but also with her gorgeous style and brand new bangs. Mine are in need of some serious maintenance... perhaps I'll take in this very pic and say 'cut me up!'... ahh... but my beautiful hairdresser, Nikki, has made her way to Melbourne :(

This means finding a new fabulous hairdresser... but who could possibly cut it?!

http://www.taza-and-husband.blogspot.com

unfolding a new florence

Another new fave - Florence And The Machine.

Pure Ginger success.

Sassy.

http://www.florenceandthemachine.net

Hurry and tour Australia!

therapy

Poetry - therapy for the soul.

I wrote this piece whilst at work today. It's amazing how some days the words literally fall onto the page and when you read them back, you gasp and smile at what it means to you. So another installment of what is ticking over and over in my little head, it simply had to come out.




[as yet untitled... perhaps you could think of a title?]


I feel a bit sick with this reality.
You don't know, you couldn't
know how I am...
I don't even know, couldn't
know if you're alive.
What a sickening way
to fall out of love.
Betrayal and abandonment
of a true heart -
we will remain, apart.

I had a little world with you.
Now I realise -
it was just you.
How untrue, to self, to life
I have been.
My heart is now
under lock and key.
Don't attempt to find it,
it has found me,
And I am King -
I am the Queen.

I've been waiting,
for faith to come alive.
To believe you're not a lie.
But my hopes, my health
hath sunk.
And so I slipped into an
ever hopeful stupor.
Relapse to re-evaluation,
over-analysis and under-nourishment.
My whole has suffered,
but my strength
will build that fortress wall.

It is my triumph - your fall.

Chloé Jane
7 August 2009

whimsical wonder...

Late last night I bought Lisa Mitchell's album 'Wonder' from iTunes... and my morning has been magically transformed into a whimsical, bright, sing-song, light-hearted musical adventure. Getting to know each song with curiousity and content listening - I think Lewis Carroll's, Alice, would listen to Lisa.

Her voice is beautiful and really takes you another place - I feel like I could be anywhere right now, and I am happily working away here in the office.

Listen, listen. Please listen.

I'm going to see her at The Zoo in Brisbane, on August 28.

Get your tickets!

http://www.lisamitchell.com.au

silver sally

Saturday just gone, I got carried away... with 'Silver Sally', this sweet helium balloon delicately tied to my bangle.

Skipping, jumping and twirling around the Valley streets, while attending a pretty little party. Life can be so much sweeter, when you have silly, artistic fun!

frankly, frankie

I was in need of a change. A new desktop perspective.

http://www.frankie.com.au/wallpapers

hesitant...

to share, but feel like I have to put it out there somewhere, aswell as my paper journal. It's a little sad how resentment can make you bitter one moment, and cry inside the next. But the power of poetry and the written word can be so therapeutic.

It's a little rough around the edges, but free verse is the idea - literally free-thoughts falling onto my page.

I'm not sure it's meant to be read aloud... Read on if you wish.

[semi-untitled] aka 'The Witching Hour'

Welcome to the witching hour

Here I wish to transform

From mere mortal

To the enchante of all

Can you hear the clock

It says tick, tock, talk.

Talk to me, and tell me

why you have this incessant

need to lie to me.

Lie to my face, to the others

Lie present in my dream.

Wishing nothing more than

for you to hear my conscious scream.

Welcome. To my bewitching hour.

Do you remember me?

My kind, tolerant heart?

Your magic and mystery,

Presence and power

Succumbed me from the start.

There was time, and plenty of it.

In the wind and rain

I withered, waiting.

Still I hear the silence,

you choose to ignore it.

I have gone from mad to sad,

Out of breath, distraught

Moment upon moment

Pushing away these life lessons

I'm being taught.

Stay away, come close

My heart has been torn

Tick, tock, talk, it calls for you

But it is I who has transformed.

Now we are through.

The witching hour.

Chloe Jane

21 July 2009

swank

I love Sarah's style here.

Androgynous, funky, with attitude and class.

Had to share.

as day follows night

Yesterday I bought Sarah Blasko's new album.
Quirky and beautiful, and a cover that inspires my creative senses. Illustration and digital media, the raw, natural and carefully constructed together.
What more could an untitled artiste want?

Take the time to listen.

x

snap

I want a polaroid camera! Please may I?

Then I can be snap-happy like taza and Joanne Olivier... sigh.

Be inspired.

http://www.taza-and-husband.blogspot.com
http://joanneolivier.wordpress.com

for emma, forever ago

The soothing sounds that caressed my ears today whilst working away at MG, were from the album 'For Emma, Forever Ago' by Bon Iver. I love this album.
It is perfect to work to and somehow kept me happily chortling along on my numerous maps. Smile, sooth, smile.

Listen. Even check out his blog at http://www.creaturefear.tumblr.com

the big apple

At around ten-thirty this morning, I got a call from my beautiful cousin in...
New York City!

Sitting at my desk at work, and all of a sudden my ringtone blares through my iPhone earphones - 'Yo DJ! Are you done mixin' yet?!', only to be greeted with 'I thought you spoke french Miss Newby?' And the answer is 'Oui - un peu!' Haha.

It was so great to catch up, even if it were briefly, and to talk design!! So many exciting things are happening at the moment. Life feels fuller every single day.

I love it.


Please check out Casey's websites - http://www.caseystaar.com (for her make-up artistry) and http://www.downtherabbithole.com.au (for her online shoe boutique), bring on the Aussies in NYC!

And her finance's band DMT is rocking their way to stardom - check there tunes at http://www.dmtinthecity.com


Today is for smiling :)

one millilitre left

It is true. I have one millilitre of my precious Coco Mademoiselle left.

I am in desparate need of some more - I simply adore this fragrance.

It's sexy, feminine and alluring... I become incredibly jealous if I smell it on another woman. However, resolve that she must have impeccably good taste.

My kind of solitary love.

http://www.chanel.com/

moments away...

from the Land of Nod.

viva la france!

The city of light and love celebrates it's unity and culture today with Bastille Day celebrations. I thought it worthy to blog.

It was brought to my attention when the little bakery across from the restaurant in which I work, had staff in late last night decorating with red, white and blue balloons.
Made me smile - festivities are so much fun.

Perhaps I'll buy a french loaf and some champagne to see to the occassion this evening...

Pop in to buy something truly indulgent. Find your nearest Le Bon Choix at http://www.lebonchoixbakery.com.au

Bon appetit!

et Viva la France!

tell me

... on what beautiful bed linen do you snooze?

I adore this collection from sheridan. I can almost feel the soft, yet crisp cool sheets beneath my skin...

line your silver cloud with the very same - find it at
http://www.sheridan.com.au

Why am I up so late? I must be off to that Land Of Nod...
the sweetest dreams to you.

musique pour huit juillet

Whilst I work away here, I thought it'd be nice to share with you what artists' are playing in my ear phones and on my heart... inspiring me to work away with a smile, and every so often perform some serious lip-syncing and a shimmy-shake.

Thankfully, the rest of the office face away from me... no - they don't know what they're missing.

Norah Jones
Sarah Blasko
Katie Noonan
Carla Bruni

Camille
Eva Cassidy
Bon Iver
Frank Sinatra

Peggy Lee
KT Tunstall and
Jewel...
therapeutic.

Peggy Lee photo sourced via http://www.images.google.com.au/

to be quite frank

at this present moment, I am on my lunch break at work... (back at good old MAPGraphics as of Monday just gone), and whilst I have been perusing blogs and some of my favourite sites, I came across the cutest wallpaper for my NEW computer here. Found on http://www.frankie.com.au/wallpapers - the site of one of my long-time loves, frankie magazine.

Perhaps you should adorn your screen with something just like this.

It may just make your day.

P.S. I move into my new place tomorrow - ONE MORE SLEEP!!

:D

a wee bit chirpy

I also found these sweet little vases on Reverie Daydream... wouldn't they make a chirpy little addition to my new home? To perch upon the kitchen windowsill, the bookshelf and a table or two.

Tweet, tweet! Tweetitly, tweetitly-deet!

dream a little dream

Have a look at the beautiful stationery and designs at this online boutique. Found whilst perusing the rockstar diaries, I couldn't help but stay a while. The Travel Journal is something to be desired, truly - just imagine the memories you could place on those pages... I can almost smell the leather and paper now.

Dream your little dreams at http://www.reverie-daydream.com

tick tock

Only four more sleeps until I move into my new abode in the lovely riverside suburb of Hamilton... can't wait to decorate, go for walks along the river, entertain friends and curl up with a good book and nice cup of tea.
Just look at my city view!

o-check. it. out.

At the recent Semi-Permanent conference in Brisbane, I came across some of the sweetest and old style charming journals from o-check graphics... inspired by such items that practically begged to jump in my bag and be whisked away into my creative realm, I feel I must share these precious pages with the rest of the art world.
Capture yours by visiting... http://www.o-check.net/main.html

good morning

I awoke to a phone call from my lovely Wendy in the UK this morning and so my day has begun ever so nicely! Missing her so much... and trust me my love - you will find the answers you need.
For now, have breakfast with me. An irresistible cup of piping hot English Breakfast tea and a delicious bowl of porridge with golden syrup, to warm your heart by the fire... or heater as it is just now. It's so chilly here, even the rabbit has his winter woolies on!

Have a wonderful Saturday!

dream a little dream

I awoke to a dream evoking suppressed emotions yesterday morning, and so, the rest of my day was affected by this. I have been having the most bazaar dreams of late and simply couldn't resist the purchase of this dream diary, to further analyse my subconscious!
Purchased from my beloved little hometown bookshop, The Dust Jacket, I felt somewhat at ease after discovering the supposed meanings of my dream. For fun, or serious - check it out!

Also, don't miss the opportunity to visit The Dust Jacket in person, or online at http://www.thedustjacket.com.au/

I dream of owning a shop like this one day... with a design studio and a café too. Ah.

can't seem to let it go

I wrote a poem late one night in the January just gone. The lines were simply rolling out of my head, and I was jotting them down as quick as possible... to the point I thought, once finished, it will make no sense. But to my delight it did! The poem resonates with feelings I experienced then, however I still feel a great connection to the words now. Can't seem to let it go.

Read on.



Turbulent paint

Flow with it down the river
We'll scoop it
To savour this time
And it's reflection
Your face I'll see in it
White & light blue
And iridescent turquoise
Captures my heart
My eyes don't want to leave it
Rolling on
I feel myself sailing out to sea
Sail away with me?
United solitude
A quest of two hearts
To be together
To know one another in
Absolute entirety
Sun soaked intimacy
Seduced by the isolation
Escape from the world that
Tends to taint love
Here we will paint
To two content souls
To ebb and flow
To become the turbulence
Passion and excitement as
Our world is enriched with colour

by Chloé Jane
23 January 2009

entry number one

My first entry. Exciting really isn't it. I have spent the afternoon perusing my favourite blogs and creative sites whilst designing my blog... and now is the time to impart some creative inspiration. I have had my head in the books of late and a couple of days ago I read 'Letters To A Young Artist'. I have been meaning to read it for a couple of years and finally ordered it via artonpaper magazine a month ago.

For all creatives and aspiring artists alike, this is a must-read. Completely resonating with me and where I am artistically right now. I now cannot seem to stop the creative ideas, projects and journaling from flowing.

Rolling with it.

To get your copy visit http://www.artonpaper.com/LTYA/