/// Slow Noodle

Everything is Great, Everything is Grand

2012-01-27T11:12:00.000+10:30

I'm in a period of time when I'm desperately looking to watch fun, feel-good movies.
Maybe it's the heat, or me being alone while the husband is away. Whatever the reason, I don't have the patience for seriousness at the moment. I only wish for movies to make me smile!

Earlier this week we went to watch The Muppets. It was Mili's request and I'm running out of entertainment ideas (this school holiday is endless!!!) so I said Yes.
I'm an old soul, I always was. I can't bring myself to enjoy most of the new cinema hits and remakes (Smurfs?...) and I'm always a little cautious when it comes to sequels. No wonder I was a little hesitant about The Muppets.

It is rare to find a movie that you can't say one bad word about it. But in this case - it is really easy to sum it up - as in the words of the opening song -
Everything is great! Everything is grand!

How can you revive the magic of such iconic creation as The Muppets?
Apparently with keeping everything simple.
It starts with a simple storyline, goes on with cute characters (both the human and the muppets) and continues with lack of gimmicks and show-off.
I enjoyed so much the wry satirical humour at some parts and the naive tone at others, the sweet relationship of Mary and Gary, the nostalgic air, the songs and dances (probably the highlight of the film and believe me the main song won't get out of your head for weeks!) and the old-time feeling - all are just superb.

I couldn't stop smiling the whole 103 minutes, and almost a week after, I still can't wipe the smile of my face.

Go see this movie while it is still in the cinemas - enjoy the magic to its fullness!
You don't need kids as an excuse - if you, like me, watched The Muppets Show some long years ago when it was on TV, this new Muppets film will not disappoint you! It is true and faithful to the spirit of Jim Henson's muppets and bring back this old charm.
And if you already watched it - let me know what you think!!

P.S. Feist is showing her face (and voice) for a little moment on the opening song, don't miss her!
P.S.S. Doesn't Kermit voice resembles Woody Allen's? I thought it's awesome!

Inspiration Elsewhere

2012-01-12T15:34:00.000+10:30

Long time since my last Inspiration Elsewhere post. Probably due to the fact that I spend much less time around the web these days.
Enjoy!

Fascinating portraits by Meghan Forsyth

Stunning textile prints by Zoran Dobric

Ah, I love the way Natsumi Hayashi is floating around Tokyo...

"Clink" is a Larice Barbosa's project that combines the click of a camera shutter with the ink of Larice's great illustrations. I remember seeing some of her early works on her Flickr and now I couldn't avoid falling in love with the whole project.

The Guggenheim museum expands their digitalized archives and launches museum exhibition catalogues in digital format. This is such an incredible resource for art lovers/students. I spend a couple of hours last night browsing exhibitions' catalogues of some of my favorite artists such as Léger (here) and Klee, and can't wait to browse the many many more available at the digital archive.

Dutch designer Lucas Maassen has hired his sons to paint a furniture collection he has designed and created (he actually paid them 1 Euro for every piece of furniture they had painted!).
I love the way the kids' height-factor effected the painting. Such great design mind! (via Mocoloco)

Such exquisite, dainty hair accessories from Conroy & Wilcox, they look like little works of art.

I've watch this intriguing video from glamour.is, documenting the design process of Icelandic fashion designer Agla Stefánsdóttir's latest collection for at least dozen time. Read the interview and watch more photos here.

Books for the New Year

2012-01-05T09:59:00.000+10:30

I borrowed some big piles of books from the library just before the holidays as I assumed I will have so much spare time and fantasized about laying down on the beach with a good book. Ah! Nice dreaming... As much as we didn't celebrate in a grand way and we are slow people by our nature - the holidays were much busier than I planned it to be and so the books turned out to be Books for the New Year.
Well, it doesn't really matter does it?

The Sense of an Ending / Julian Barnes - I'm just about to finish it and it is as great as I have expected. I have a thing for books about smart young adults mystery "adventures" in collage (The Secret History by Donna Tartt is another great example), maybe because I myself didn't had such experiences. This book is a pure delight.

The Suitcase / Sergei Dovlatov - Sergei Dovlatov is one of Alex favorite authors and so I was so happy to discover this translation (written originally in Russian). I couldn't resist reading the first couple of pages and loved its brilliant, wry tone.

No One Belongs Here More Than You / Miranda July is a recommandations from Danica. I was always intrigued by Miranda July. I wished I have enjoyed her much more than I do. It's a funny feeling - I feel she Deserves my likeness but I just couldn't bring myself to actually enjoy her first movie. Danica put this feeling really nicely in words in her review for July's second film and mentioned this book so I thought maybe her words will talk to me better than her visuals. I read two stories already and really liked it.
By the way, in case you've missed it - here's a short video of July suggesting how to remain productive and creative while keeping distractions in bay. Great!

The Joys of Excess / Samuel Pepys is a new publication of Pepys by Penguin Classics. Peppy's celebrates gatherings, feasts and the indulgence of great eating and drinking what makes this book a A great book for the holidays!

Me, You / Erri de Luca - my first read of Erri de Luca. Can't wait.

Into the War / Italo Calvino - Italo Calvino is one of my favorite writers so this autobiographical new publication is a great discovery for me.

What are you reading now? Please do share! I'm always looking for new readings!

Happy New Year!!

2011-12-31T19:22:00.001+10:30

Happy New Year lovelies!!

2011 was such an amazing year.
It was also a very busy year for us as a family and individuals, and in the best way possible. We both learnt and experienced so much and got closer to where we wish to be, personally and professionally.
In many ways it was one of my best and most special years as I feel I have found my center and had had the privilege of focusing on myself (which is not that easy once you’ve become a parent).
More than ever, I feel I'm on the right path to reach my goals. Now it is all up to me to work hard and get there!

This blogging adventure had shaped a lot of this good place I’m at right now and you are a huge part of that. During the last two and a half years I’ve “met” so many new friends I wouldn’t have ever met otherwise, some that became a part of my closest circle of friends. I'm so thankful for the role you're playing in my life.

Thank you for your visits, lovely words, encouragement, and inspiration during 2011,
and most of all - big Thank You for your friendship!
It means the world to me!!!

Here’s to making 2012 the best year ever!!
Love, Galit xx

Emma & Dakota

2011-12-29T10:46:00.000+10:30

Hello lovelies!
Hope you all had a brilliant holiday!
I know I said I'll be back after the New Year's but I couldn't wait as I really wanted to share those two new digital illustrations with you. I was working on them the last two weeks and finally feel they are ready!!

There's nothing I enjoy more than illustrating/drawing fine ladies, so here are two of my favorite girls: Emma and Dakota.

Have you created something new during the holiday? Please link here - I'd love to check it out!! and of course would love to hear your feedback!

Enjoy the remaining of your holiday! Galit x

P.S. You can view the original photos that inspired me here.

Happy Holidays!!!

2011-12-24T14:56:00.001+10:30

Whatever it is that you're celebrating - may it be Chanukah, Christmas or if you're just taking pleasure of the long weekend, I'm wishing you happy and peaceful time with your loved ones!
Enjoy some delicious food, wine, music, and cheery gatherings and make sure you have enough time to slow down and relax!!

See you early 2012 and in the meantime - Happy Holidays and super duper smacking New Year friends!!
Love, Galit xx

--- The photos above were taken a couple of months ago at a very lovely lunch-feast at Jauma winery, up in Basket Range, one of the most beautiful spots of the Adelaide Hills. It was a really excellent day with a seriously fine dining, excellent company and the finest weather - My definition of an ideal day!!

Some Happy Etsy Finds

2011-12-16T09:19:00.000+10:30

Colourful and beautiful things I liked this week:

Japanese Washi Tape. Got to get me some. Especially loving these from Pretty Tape.

colourful pencils from Kazu. Lovely!!

Paper Confetti from ThePaperAddict

How cute is this? Adorable Vintage Soviet Pin With Young Deer - Chunja

The colourful lamps from EarthSeaWarrior are all over the web lately but I couldn't resist posting them again here. Those colours are o beautiful!! I especially love the Gooseneck Desk Lamp in Baby Blue with Neon Orange Net Cord

Christmas Tree Decorations by Sketch.Inc. We actually painted some wooden blocks by this idea last week, didn't work out that greatly though...

Found - Original Collage by Erin Dollar. There's something about this piece that make me smile inside and makes my imagination runs. It brings to my mind all those memories of little things I have found and collected during travels, hikes and journeys. Sweet.

Last week in photos

2011-12-12T11:18:00.001+10:30

Last week was a really great one!! We had a usual fun visit to the Central Market, Mili discovered the joy of eating freshly picked vegetables at our friends' garden, I made a couple of new calligraphy works (will share more soon when it's all finished!), and found Love on a street wall... :)
My talented man had made me a wooden chair, based on this idea of Studiomama, while we painted some extra wooden blocks.
Last weekend was so lovely, with great clear weather, and we visited the winery where Alex was bottling some cider and had fun in the beautiful sun (Mili also tried out her new art-pack from The Art Gallery, right there on the grass).

Also on the weekend - It was time for a new little facelift for the blog. More room for bigger photos and some minor changes and updates. Hope you like it!!

How was your weekend? Hope had some time to rest and recharge in those hectic before-the-holidays weeks.
Have a great week friends!! Galit x

Illustration Rally

2011-12-05T08:56:00.000+10:30

What a happy way to start a new week!
My new illustration is featured in Illustration Rally and I can't be happier! This is a digital illustration I made for the RedRock Fashion Illustration Rally, a first try on doing a digital fashion illustration.

I quite like the result and now I'm trying to play more with the possibilities of mixing digital with hand-drawn/painted illustration.

For the background (here it is actually an alternate version with pink background, at the Illustration Rally website it is green) I've used Pugly Pixel's Bow Tie Textures. Thank you lovely lady!!

Hope your week is lovely and warm! Galit x

P.S. Check out the rest of the Red Rock rally works over Illustration Rally - there are some really great submissions!

Caroline Hancox

2011-11-29T09:13:00.001+10:30

Oh. I'm having a slow start to my week.
The weather is dry, hot, and heavy and I'm feeling tired.
All I want to do is sit down in front of the fan and stare at those prints by my bloggy friend Caroline Hancox who just opened her shop - Ribbon Squirel (congrats darling!!).
Isn't she super talented? I love her photographs so much!!

Hope your week is as delicious and smooth as a large sweet gelato.
Galit x

Dreamy Dresses

2011-11-24T08:41:00.001+10:30

Happy Thursday!

Do you smell the weekend getting closer and closer? I sure do!

As much as I wanted to share those with you yesterday, unfortunately my dear laptop crushed on me and I had to wait for this morning to get it up and running again.

These works are the last I've made in my Fashion Illustration course and I hope to make into a series of dreamy dresses.

It was a great experience, much beyond my expectations, mainly thanks to the great lecturer - the very lovely and inspiring Fiona.

Fashion and fashion design is something I'm attracted to from a very early age but somehow always lived under the impression it is something for other people and not me.

Why other people? There are many answers to that, but somehow I felt I should do something more.... serious? not sure that's the right word, I also never thought I could make a living out of my drawings and illustrations.

Anyway, I think I'm old enough to know that I should, or at least try, and do only things I'm passionate about and what I've learnt along the way is that the things I'm passionate about, are also the things I'm best at (surprise, surprise...). I hope the 'make a living' part will come later as well.

I'm still a newbie with scanning and retouching (I have to admit me and photoshop are no good friends) and so I'm not completely happy with the way the scans went - the colours are not an exact match and there is this border to the pages which I don't know how to get rid of... (anyone suggestions?)

Okay, enough words for now, I hope you'll enjoy my work and I'll of course be more than happy to hear any feedback!!

Galit x

Back again!

2011-11-23T14:34:00.000+10:30

Hello Friends!
Hope you are all fine and happy!
Well, after a short hiatus I'm finally back.

Those of you who read and follow this blog for some time now, know that I'm not strong with personal words and stories, but I do feel I owe you an explanation as for why I was away for so long.
It is a bit hard to sum up everything but what I can say is that during September I wasn't feeling very well and had to spent a couple of weeks resting and slowing down, and while doing so, I had a lot of time to reflect on where I'm heading, what are my priorities in life, am I on MY right track etc. etc.
I figured out I spend much too much of my time online, collecting and sharing, being inspired and hopefully inspire others by this blog, but at the same time, I felt blocked and I realize I put a bit too much focus on others work and less on my own creativity.
The last two months were kind of a check-up point for me, and I'm so glad it happened as I'm feeling much more centered.
It took me some time to go back to blogging, I know. I am so happy to be back though, together with a couple of decisions and steps that will help me, I hope, to stay focused and make this space an empowering and motivating one, for me, and hopefully for you too.
One of my decisions, is to share more of my own world and my own work in addition to my regular posts. I hope you'd enjoy this new side of the Slow Noodle!

I have more thoughts I want to share with you and some ideas that run in my head, but I think I'll leave it for later. I'll just add one last thing. During this time away, I was amazed by how many of you emailed me, twitted, and even sent me real snail mail (!). I was, and I'm still, touched by the affection and care from this great blogging and online world, and I realized (yet again) how much I enjoy being here, a part of this community.

This is possibly the longest post I've ever written, so I'll end it here, and just say again a huge thank you for all of you who were in touch during the last months. You are deeply dear to me and I missed you so much!

I'll post later today some of my new fashion illustrations, but in the mean time I'll leave you with this great poster and words by Rita Gomes (AKA Wasted Rita).

Love, Galit xx

P.S. If you're curious to know what I was doing during the last months, here is how I spent my time: a lot of illustrating, drawing and painting, studied a short course of fashion illustration which I think might change my life... (seriously!), started a gluten-free diet, lost a couple of kg (yay!), started running, read so many books including three of the Harry Potter series (loving it!), started a new tumblr and kept on posting at my old one, and, well, pinned like crazy...
What about you? Where and what were you doing??

Eri Takayama for Nuan

2011-09-01T14:27:00.002+09:30

Loving so much the whimsical works of Japanese stylist Eri Takayama.
Those are from his work for Nuan.

Spotted on Life in the Slow Lane

Camping Weekend

2011-08-27T10:06:00.004+09:30

We're heading to the first Spring's camping trip, up at the far end of the Adelaide Hills.
Wish you all a beautiful, warm and relaxing weekend!! Galit xx

P.S. Friends at the US East Coast, stay safe!! You're in my thoughts!
P.P.S. The photo is from our last camping trip in Deep Creek. More here.

Wanted this week

2011-08-25T22:38:00.001+09:30

Happy to be guesting over at Pennyweight today with my Wanted This Week wish-list.
Elise's blog is such a relaxing and beautiful space that quickly became one of my daily reads.

Go check out the post over at Pennyweight. Thanks Elise for having me!

Bits and Pieces

2011-08-24T10:59:00.002+09:30

Bits of art and photography pieces from my Summer House tumblr:

Untitled by Lukasz Wierzbowski // Collage 1 by Chad Wys // Joe Lauzon by Siggi Eggertsson \\ Cave Man by Liam Brazier // Painting by Shabazz Palaces by Leif Podhajsky

Seven Things Tuesday

2011-08-23T10:45:00.001+09:30

It has been a long time since I've post a Seven Things Tuesday posts and I forgot how fun it is!!
Here are seven things I'm loving today.

... this top

... this super classic skirt

... this cute clutch

... this set of wooden bowls

... this book

... this solar radio

... this healing balm

It looks like it is going to be an awesome day today! The sun shines so beautifully outside, our neighbours left out a box of grapefruit which I'm going to make into a ~~jam~~ marmalade, and, to top that up, I won a double pass for an exclusive preview screening of Ewan McGregor's Begginers tonight!!
Ah! My kind of a Tuesday!!

Hope your day is just as lovely!

Linking up to Sarah's Tickle Me Tuesday.
Happy Tuesday friends!! x

Inspiration Elsewhere

2011-08-19T11:29:00.010+09:30

A little longer/bigger Inspiration Elsewhere post today. Enjoy!

I'm hypnotize by this painting - Iron Curtain by Kevin Chupik - from his Femme Fatale series. I can't get enough of the sensual texture in his works. Wonderful (via Lost in E Minor)

Quirky retro cameras cookies by Manjar. Sweet! (via A Merry Mishap)

Ah... Angelica Husten. Her look is so unique that it can't be mistaken for anyone else no matter her age, the place and time.
Those photos are from the Halston book (via Cat Party)

Red Velvet shoes by Janae Hardy. How lovely is that? (via Beautiful Mess)

Cinema Hotel was originally one of the first cinemas in Tel Aviv (back then named "Esther" after the owner's wife Nathaniel Moses).
The building is one of around 4,000 Bauhaus buildings built in Tel Aviv from the 1930s, what is now known to be the White City of Tel-Aviv - an UNESCO world heritage city.
I saw it a couple of times as a cinema when I was a kid and many years later standing empty and sad. It really warmed my heart to see it go back to its glory and the beautiful way it was renovated while keeping the place's spirit.

Mind blowing architecture photography by Maria Luisa (click on the photos to go to their orignal Flickr set).

You know how attracted I am to street art. I'm probably not made of the right stuff that make artist take their art out. So here's a little something for people like me, who still want to get their hands dirty and paint on walls: The ultra cool Walls sketchbook is filled with over 80 photos of New York walls instead of blank pages. Now all you have to do is hold on your pens and start painting the walls of NY one by one! How brilliant is that?
Designed by Think of The, published by Quirk Books.

Dreamy photography by Lukasz Wierzbowski.

Damien Hirst's Psalm Prints. Look closely - those are butterflies paintings that make a large silkscreen collage.

This photo made my day today: Charlie Chaplins take to streets of London to shoot a short film, marking the launch of Virgin's Short Film Competition (via MindFood Magazine)

Blik is A short animation tells the story of a young boy who moves to a new neighbourhood and falls in love for the first time.

Seriously one of the best animations I've seen lately. I was amazed at how beautifully emotional it is and how the characters express so much with their blank faces.
Made by the creative guys at Polder Animation.

Happy Friday friends!

To be adored

2011-08-18T10:30:00.003+09:30

From TBA Summer 2011 lookbook. I love the feminine soft look. Perfect for a summer picnic in a sunny meadow with a Jane Austen book in one hand and a chilled Rosé in the other (and a cute deer in the background).

P.S. Talking about Jane Austen, I'm going to watch Jane Eyre on Tuesday. Very excited!! Have you watched it already? Did you enjoy it?
P.P.S. A herd of about ten feral deer found their way to a hill just behind where the Man works, in the Waite Conservation Reserve. I have no idea how they got there and apparently they damage the conservation area where they're roam. We plan a little hike on the weekend to try and photograph them before they're gone. Can't wait!

Green Bathroom

2011-08-16T23:27:00.003+09:30

I'm totally in love with the idea of decorating our bathroom with green, living plants.

How do you decorate your bathroom? What do you think of the idea of plants or flowers in it?

Photographs: Skona Hem, Rus Anson

1 19th Century French Tin and Iron Bath - VandM, 2 Savon de Marseille - Old Faithful Shop, 3 D.S. &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; DURGA Boston Ivy Eau de Cologne, 4 Fig Tree Candle - Diptyque Paris, 5 Garden in a Bag: Lavender, 6 Foliation col.05 Wallpaper - Wall and Image

Curating Colour - 3rd Edition

2011-08-15T11:41:00.005+09:30

Happy Monday friends! hope you all had a nice and relaxing weekend!

Out abstract colour comes today from Siggi Eggertsson.
Siggi was asked to make four different christmas ornaments for an exhibition in Hong Kong in 2005. She ended up drawing four abstract atomic bomb explosions she called Colorful Dream.
I love them tremendously.

If like me, you can't stop looking at those amazing works, prints will be available in the next couple of months in Siggi's shop.
Check out the rest of her website for more clever, fantastic works.

When I grow up I want to illustrate like Ana Albero.
Ana works primarily in graphite and colored pencil. Her vibrant colours and rich textures are so excellent, but most of all, I can't have enough of the glamorous, delicate ladies and fine gentlemen she draws.

Check out more beautiful illustrations from Ana on her website and read more about her work on Grain Edit

August Reading List

2011-08-14T00:30:00.002+09:30

Elise of Pennyweight just shared her reading list on her lovely blog, and I thought it is a great idea to share books recommendations and encourage each other to read more.
Fancy joining the spontaneous Book Club?

Here is my reading list for August. I'm already half way through Ghostwritten - it is the first novel by one of my favorite authors - David Mitchell, and I enjoy it to bits. I really don't want it to end but at the same time I can't wait to read the rest of the books on my list.
What about you? Have you read any of the above? What's on your reading list for August?

August reading list: Ghostwritten by David Mitchell // Great House by Nicole Krauss (thank you Hila for the recommendation!) // White Teeth by Zadie Smith \\ An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin (thank you Elise for the recommendation!)

Have a great weekend lovelies!! xx

P.S. Check out Elise's reading list for more great books recommendations!

Gottlieb Jazz Photos

2011-08-13T12:58:00.006+09:30

“Who is Billie Holiday? Look at Bill's shots. Who is Charlie Parker? Look at Bill's shots.”

Jason Koransky, Editor, Downbeat

Billie Holiday's stunning and very famous photo shown on my last post is taken from the archive of William P. Gottlieb jazz photos. Gottlieb was both a notable jazz journalist and a self-taught photographer who's images document the jazz scene in New York City and Washington, D.C., from 1938 to 1948, a time recognized by many as the "Golden Age of Jazz".

His photos are fantastic in the way they capture the essence of jazz, the emotions, the tense and excitement. Looking at them, you can feel the vibe and even sense the beat of the music, go back in time, and bring the stories back to life.

You can view Gottlieb's photos on this flickr set or on his archive site

Photographs: Downbeat, New York, N.Y., ca. 1948 // Portrait of Louis Armstrong, Aquarium, New York, N.Y., ca. July 1946 // Portrait of Wesley Prince, Oscar Moore, and Nat King Cole, Zanzibar, New York, N.Y., ca. July 1946 \\ Portrait of Sid Catlett, New York, N.Y., ca. Mar. 1947 // Portrait of Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Ray Brown, Milt (Milton) Jackson, and Timmie Rosenkrantz, Downbeat, New York, N.Y., ca. Sept. 1947 // Portrait of Billie Holiday (and her dog Mister), Downbeat(?), New York, N.Y., ca. June 1946

All That Jazz...

2011-08-11T11:42:00.005+09:30

Jazz is my favorite music genre and the decades of the 30's, 40's and 50's are such great source of style and aesthetic inspiration.

1 Cappelli Donna Hat - Stella Mccartney, 2 Dirty Pink Short Sleeve Scallop Tiered Blouse - TopShop, 3 Diane von Furstenberg - Jessalyn jersey and silk-chiffon dress, 4 Crosley Keepsake USB Turntable, 5 Ania Scarf - Monki, 6 A Love Supreme - John Coltrane, 7 Portrait of Billie Holiday, Downbeat, New York, N.Y., Feb. 1947 by Gottlieb, William, 8 VPL (Victoria Bartlett) Tidal Undi and bra, 9 Over-the-knee ribbed 1937 socks, 10 Vervain Eau de Toilette, 11 Kodak B Modele B 31 (1954), 12 Jazz Oxford Shoes in Taupe - ThreadSence, 13 Vintage Coach shoulder bag

Take me there...

2011-08-10T11:17:00.003+09:30

Not sure where in Italy is this beautiful place (Sicily?). The rustic look of the bare stones wall, the cactus garden, the curves and round lines of the inside and smooth surfaces in the outside, are calling my name. I'm ready to pack and go.

Photographs: Kasia Gatkowska for Elle Decor Italia August 2011

Via Aubrey Road