Relaxed spring afternoons

Most of these pictures have been taken in front of a mural of the Aboriginal Australian flag in The Block, Redfern. The Block has been a meeting place for Aboriginal people for more than half a century, as people travelled from country towns to Sydney in search of work. The area is synonymous with Indigenous land rights and till quite recently was the site of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy demanding affordable housing for Indigenous Australian.

It is a place steeped in history and struggle, I went there over the weekend to listen to some live music by Indigenous artists. It was the first really warm day this spring and my embroidered top from Columbia came out to play with beaded jewellery from Kenya, South Africa and Columbia. I am obsessed with Maasai, South American and Indian beaded jewellery and wish to deck myself head to toe in them. A great afternoon spent listening to some good music and chatting with interesting locals before riding away as the sun set.

In which I put no thought into what I am wearing

Vintage leather backpack, Jewellery and Silk scarf: Sydney markets+India, Plaid Shirt: Minkpink, Cotton dress: Topshop, Suede boots: Wittner

The day that most people equate with over-priced flowers, expensive jewellery and cheesy cards was also the day that women (and a few men) all around the world danced for awareness as well as to demand an end to violance against women. Ofcourse I couldn't stay away from an event like that and joined the crowd of juggling, dancing women and kids at a park close to home and then promptly stalked the cutest puppies in the park. I am not even joking, we went and sat where most doggies were playing till they came over to say hello and proceeded to give them cuddles plus belly rubs. Absolutely the best way to spend an absolutely commercialized sham of a day.

Here's what I wore for comfort and to stay cool. I know I look like something a cat dragged in but that's the way I like to be, sans make-up, wearing what I feel like, keeping the hair off my face with whatever comes first to my hand and generally turning my nose up at spending hours primping and grooming. I'd rather spend hours playing with my clothes, colourful objects, jewellery and running wild in the bush. Speaking of jewellery this is one of my favourite necklaces, I mean its paisley, doesn't that say it all? I love love silk scarfs turned head bands, just messily tying my hair up and hoping it will stay put. Also I am happy to report my creative funk has resulted in a couple of pages of sketched henna designs as well as elephants (I dunno why I am obesessed with Ganesh and elephants) that will hopefully be replicated on tee-shirts soon. Plus I might indulge in some needle-work on this plaid shirt, I wear them shirts a lot and it wouldn't hurt to individualize them a little bit. Also I need DIY ideas for my leather backpacks, since they are suddenly in fashion again, I want to personalize mine, thoughts?

Hope you had fun whatever you did to celebrate the day of love and your loved ones made you feel warm and fuzzy!