Wuthering Heights.

I roughly knew the story of Wuthering Heights through conversations I had heard, the movie with Juliette Binoche, and of course the song by Kate Bush (one of our favourites), but I hadn't read the book until this year.

Wuthering Heights had seemed to be hyped as the ultimate love story. True love. True grief. The love of all loves. But what I found was something different.

Emily Bronte's story is one of obsession, jealousy, hate, revenge, manipulation and weakness . There was not one character I liked (except maybe Mr Lockwood), and there was only one brief part that, me the romantic, truly enjoyed.

Don't get me wrong, it is an amazing story – wonderfully written and easy to read, but I found myself yelling out loud and throwing the book down in disgust from time to time (it must have been shocking for those around me). It's just that Heathcliff and Cathy are both truly awful characters (in my opinion).

So my conclusion is: Heathcliff and Cathy's love shouldn't be glorified. Emily Bronte was brilliant. Give me Charlotte's 'Jane Eyre' any day.

Five: beautiful flowers.

5. Orchids

4. Gardenia

3. Sweetpeas

2. David Austin roses

1. Hydrangea

This photo was taken yesterday in my parent's beautiful garden

Alicia Bock.

I love Alicia Bock's photos. They are beautiful. I brought Lella a print (the horse one of course) a couple of years ago and she has it framed in her bedroom. If you haven't visited Alicia's website or blog, give yourself a treat and have a look.

The wee small hours.

In the wee small hours of the morning

while the whole wide world is fast asleep

you lie awake and think about the boy

and never ever think of counting sheep.

David Mann and Bob Hilliard

Image via Restart My Heart

Dance with me my sweet.

Image via ffffound

Some say nerd, I say unicorn.

Michael Gray Gubler. U-ni-corn.

The greatest.

Once I wanted to be the greatest

No wind or waterfall could stall me

And then came the rush of the flood

The stars at night turned deep to dust

Once I wanted to be the greatest

Two fists of solid rock

With brains that could explain any feeling.

Lower me down, pin me in

Secure the grounds

Words by Cat Power. Image by David Urbanke.

Fashion Bits and Bobs.

Pascal Grob is fast becoming one of my favourite bloggers /photographers. Anooke introduced me to his blogs a few months ago and have been hooked ever since. His photography and fashion prowess are inspiring. Check out his blogs Fashion Bits and Bobs and Visual Diary of Pascal Grob.

Perfect for a summer night.

I love Tartlette. Reading the recipes and seeing the lovely photos makes my mouth water. It is delightful! When I saw the recipe for this Pinch Cake Lemon Mousse Strawberry Triffle, I thought it would be a lovely treat for a hot summers night like this one. If it makes your mouth water as much as mine, you can get the recipe here.

Love it.

How beautiful is this room? I love the clean white with a splash of colour! I'm inspired.

Image via dress design decor

Type me a letter on a pink typewriter.

Image via ffffound

True love.

I have fallen in love with the story of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, as told in 'The Young Victoria', starring Emily Blunt and Rupert Friend. Theirs was a love that was pure and true. A love to melt your heart and make you envious. If you haven't seen this film I highly recommend that you do. The costumes are divine and the actors are beautiful. It is lovely.

Bring back the romance.

I'm all for bringing back some romance and glamour.

When did everything become about comfort and practicality? Where have the days gone when people wore their best clothes to catch a plane or train, and hats with matching purses to church? What about parties with jazz bands and cocktail dresses, or balls where the women wore floor length gowns? Maybe this only happened in the movies.

I want fresh flowers in every room, big dresses and cardigans with pearl buttons, some classical music instead of the plasma, and a candle lit dinner. Looks like I'll be busy this week.

Image via We Heart It

There's no place like home.

Image via We Heart It

Come away with me.

Come away with me in the night

Come away with me

And I will write you a song

Come away with me on a bus

Come away where they can't tempt us

With their lies

I want to walk with you

On a cloudy day

In fields where the yellow grass grows knee-high

So won't you try to come

Come away with me and we'll kiss

On a mountaintop

Come away with me

And I'll never stop loving you

And I want to wake up with the rain

Falling on a tin roof

While I'm safe there in your arms

So all I ask is for you

To come away with me in the night

Come away with me

Norah Jones

Image via We Heart It

Oregon Coast by Kate Towers.

I love Kate Towers' designs: the drama, the colours, the photographs... You can see more of her work here.

Greta.

"I'm afraid of nothing, except being bored".

Greta Garbo

Image via Retrozone

Barcelona City Council, where its at.

I can't decide what I love more: a) the fact that Barcelona have their own "Park Department" or b) that they had Klas Ernflo design the posters. Absolutely fantastic.

Can't get next to you.

Oh I, I can fly like a bird in the sky

I can buy anything that money can buy

Oh I, can turn a river into a raging flood

I can live forever if I so decide

Ain't happy am I with all the powers that I possess,

oh, you're the key, 'cause

I can't get next to you, babe

can't get next to you.

I've been trying for such a long time.

"I Can't Get Next to You" - Al Green.

Image by Chris Craymer.

I think I could be happy in this tiny house.

Image via ffffound.

Gig Posters.

I'm loving these posters from GigPosters.com. Sweet.

We thought Marc Johns couldn't get any cooler.

We thought we'd maxed out the Marc Johns Love account then we saw this awesome drawing on his blog.

My Grill.

Lella was lucky enough to receive Pete Evan's 'My Grill' for Christmas and let me tell you, it's wonderful! The barbecue cookbook is full of mouth watering recipes and beautiful photos (by the talented Anson Smart). It deliciously printed on a lovely matt stock and feels like heaven to hold. So far I have made the Piri Piri Chicken Burgers and the Barbecued Gozleme, but plan to attempt almost all of the recipes. If you get a chance be sure to check it out.

Happy new year.

Happy new year! May 2010 be full of love, joy and inspiration.

We had a lovely NYE, Lella spent it with friends in Bondi, and I stayed in for a night of homemade (by my clever Husband) donuts and Casablanca.We hope the start of twentyten has been just as nice for you.

Image via We Heart It