Tuesday 23 July 2013

Dreaming of America

Pineapple Dazzle Come fly with me  sorry for all the travel posts but the day has finally arrived, heading to the States!

I keep hearing wonderful things about America. My parents have visited the US 5 times and when they retell their stories their faces light up and their eyes go all hazy with the warm memories. The same happens time and again when I talk to my sisters and friends. What is it with this country that people love so much?

Have you ever been to the States? What do you love about this country?

Howdy America! Can't wait to meet you.

Sunday 21 July 2013

Dreaming of San Francisco

New York has been nothing short of fabulous and I'm very sad to leave. I can see why many of my friends have moved there as it is an incredibly vibrant place. I'll give you a proper update on my time there soon once I am back in Australia. At the moment I am flying over the country to go see San Francisco.

Pineapple Dazzle San Francisco

San Francisco was a late addition to my trip. In a way I have a feeling that this city is the one that I'm going to end up loosing my heart to. A few of my American friends have given me some great suggestions for what to do whilst I'm in town. One tip they shared is to never shorten San Francisco's name to San Fran (thank you Crispy!) Here are my must-do plans so far.

Riding a bike over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito to find a famous ice-cream parlour.

Hanging out in Dolores Park.

Alcatraz. I am travelling with my Roller Derby friend Elle Catraz so it is appropriate.

Hanging with the hippies in Haight-Ashbury.

I wonder if San Francisco know that there is a cute Australian band who go by the name San Cisco? If they don't then they should get on board. Have you been to San Francisco bay? Is there a special place there that you think I should go see? Your suggestions are more than welcome.




Original San Francisco image from here


Dreaming of Rollercon

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Two more sleeps until I madly rush to the airport for my flight to America. Normally my travel adventures are just that a rambling adventure exploring the world. This time however there is a purpose to my travel plans other than satisfying my wanderlust - I've packed my roller skates and am heading to Rollercon!

3. The Road Train Rollers Vs The Salty Dolls: Crispy Saltbush, Bride of Skatan, GoGo Fiasco, Tonka Tuff and Melvin Star
2. The Salty Dolls Vs The Mile Die Club: Kissy Suziki waits for the Jammer’s whistle, April 2009 11. The Salty Dolls vs The Mile Die Club: First ever win for the Mile Die Club - Velvet Thunderground, Candy de la Ghetto and Pistola Balboa, A

I have been involved in with Adelaide Roller Derby since 2008 and Rollercon has been one of those dream 'must-do' events high on my list. To help you imagine it: Roller Derby + 2000 excited skaters + 1 week in Las Vegas. It's one hell of a mix and the butterflies have officially set in.

I see myself doing a lot of sightseeing in between novelty challenge bouts, serious classes and afternoon cool downs by the pool. But honestly what I'm most excited about is getting the opportunity to meet, possibly play against and definitely party with some of the best Roller Derby athletes in the world.

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Black Rock Roller Derby Starts_8624

The Knuckle Draggers Vs The Missing Links_8663 Black Rock Roller Girls_8682

My friends Velvet Thunderground and Dutch Oven went over to America a few years ago and their photos of their experience inspired me to one day go chase down my dreams of skating internationally. I've borrowed some of their photos from their time away. Thank you Dutch Oven for letting me share some of your beautiful photography.

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Seeing all of these wonderful memories just has me itching to create some of my own. Have you ever incorporated your sport or your passion into your holiday?

1. ADRD Training Camp: Practice scrimmage team huddle, January 2008





Friday 19 July 2013

A Personal Challenge Update


3 months ago I set myself a personal challenge to see if I could halve my current wardrobe. Well I did it! I learnt along the way a few tricks that helped me reach my goal.

Just do it
It sounds simple enough but I had to just bite the bullet and start. So many times before I have procrastinated and ended up doing the laundry/vacuuming/music playlists instead. I built up a lot of stress and pressure that this was going to be a hard process. It honestly was a lot easier and took a lot less time than I thought it would.

Small bites
I found if the inspiration had hit me hard like a hammer then not to try to do it all at once. I focused instead on working through it in 10 minute bursts or even just a particular small section - like my sock drawer - and if still inspired to go from there. Having simple quick wins along the way made me feel positive about letting go of my things.

Understanding its worth
Probably my hardest hurdle was coming to terms with the very expensive jacket that sat in my cupboard. Because it lived all day in my wardrobe it wasn't actually worth the expense because I had never used it. It was a waste. I realised that I'm not gaining any value to my life with it living in the wardrobe gathering dust. Keeping it was just keeping the guilt associated with the expense. An unexpected bonus of letting it go has meant I've been able to let go of that guilt.

Just in case
I knew I would freak out if I piled all of my donations into a car and took it to charity straight away. So I gave myself a mental buffer. I placed all of the items in a basket and put it in another room and agreed that I would donate them in 3 months time. If I didn't use the item over the last 3 months then it didn't deserve to be in my home.

Focus on the end goal
Whenever I found myself really struggling I would remember to focus on the end goal. My personal goal was being able to open my wardrobe and see only cherished, well used and loved items. I've heard of others focussing on a particular style like 'effortlessly chic' to help them with their clean-out. My taste is too eclectic for that so instead I chose to keep everything that looked great on me and that I loved to wear.

This has been a really big deal for me and I'm so happy that I stuck to my guns and finished this challenge. I am celebrating by looking at upgrading to a super organised wardrobe to pimp my Boudoir. A pretty and clearly labelled wardrobe for my well loved treasures.

Feel Good Friday



I've been incredibly introspective as of late. Questioning many things about life. I should explain why I seem to be filled with all of these questions. Partly as I've spent a week in isolation with a nasty virus. Partly as my birthday is mere days away.

Birthdays don't normally terrify me. Turning 30 didn't even register on my radar. It came and went in a whirlwind of decadent bubbles. Yet the prospect of 32 feels like I've stepped out onto a windy ledge with a fraying rope for safety above a deep crevasse.

I came across a brilliant piece of writing which has helped me feel more at ease. It is definitely true being in your 20's you feel like you know everything but once in your 30's you know better and realise that for every answer resolved there are infinitely more questions seeking resolution. I have not found peace with these questions yet but I am starting to accept that they will always be there.

Since I had so much free time on my hands this past week I have created another music mix for your listening pleasure and please have a wonderful weekend.



Thank you to artist Alberto Seveso and Arte Limited. The artwork above is called 'A Due Colori V'.

Thursday 18 July 2013

Packing Light

Pineapple Dazzle New York Hurry Up Holiday
I'm stuck with the task of packing right now. It's the one part of the travelling process where I feel so terribly uncool. I wish I could pack as lightly as Joan Didion as shown from this excerpt from her book The White Album.

To Pack and Wear: 
2 skirts 
2 jerseys or leotards 
1 pullover sweater 
2 pair shoes 
stockings 
bra 
nightgown, robe slippers 
cigarettes 
bourbon 
bag with: shampoo, toothbrush and paste, Basis soap, razor, deodorant, aspirin, prescriptions, Tampax, face cream, powder, baby oil 

To Carry: 
mohair throw 
typewriter 
2 legal pads and pens 
files 
house key 

This is a list which was taped inside my closet door in Hollywood during those years when I was reporting more or less steadily. The list enabled me to pack, without thinking, for any piece I was likely to do. Notice the deliberate anonymity of costume: in a skirt, a leotard, and stockings, I could pass on either side of the culture. Notice the mohair throw for trunk-line flights (i.e. no blankets) and for the motel room in which the air conditioning could not be turned off. Notice the bourbon for the same motel room. Notice the typewriter for the airport, coming home: the idea was to turn in the Hertz car, check in, find an empty bench, and start typing the day’s notes. 

See what I mean? It is a highly romantic and insouciant ideal of course. Maybe it's just that Joan packs bourbon and a typewriter...

The last few days I have been constantly thinking of New York. The cramped sidewalks. The chilled shade standing in the shadow of a skyscraper. I can feel the adrenaline of impending adventure kicking in. I know deep in my bones that I'm going to figure something out walking along those streets. I hope that the sun shines bright when I'm there.

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Dreaming of New York


Next week I will be bouncing-off-the-walls excited as I will be boarding a plane and heading off to the US. It is my first trip to the States and I have no true idea what to expect. The city I'm most excited to visit is of course New York.

New York has been hiding in my dreams forever. It has felt like an angry itch that has been exponentially amplified. It was never should I visit but when and the time has finally arrived.

I find myself drawn to unique and non-touristy experiences usually when I am away. I am curious to see if I can find those though as New York looks to be quite the cliche. Here are some of the places and experiences that I am most looking forward to.

Pineapple Dazzle New York City
I am a huge art fan so of course, MoMA is high on my must-do list. I might not be able to visit the Rain Room Exhibition as the wait seems to make it not worth the effort but it is still MoMA and there will still be a mountain of work to see.

A walk through Barney's Shoe Department.

To find a secret in the city.

A Skate Party in Central Park. I have packed my roller skates!

A cocktail on a Manhattan Rooftop.

A stroll along the Highline.

I usually set myself a challenge for each new travel adventure and as yet I haven't found an appropriate one for New York. Maybe I will just commit myself to saying yes if a wonderful strange opportunity appears. Have you been? Is there something that a really should 'must do' whilst there?

Monday 15 July 2013

A New Look For Pineapple Dazzle


“If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living.” - Gail Sheehy

Nothing makes a girl feel prettier than a simple quick change. A fresh hair-cut, new lipstick or pair of shoes can do wonders to a girls confidence. A blog doesn't get to be as introspective.  They should always at least try to look their best.

What do you think of Pineapple Dazzle's new look?

Wednesday 10 July 2013

Being Creatively Satisfied


Pineapple Dazzle Strawberry photo PineappleDazzleStrawberry_zps4b65a1a8.jpg

I watched this video recently about the idea of being creatively satisfied. Which made me question am I?

I think of myself as creative. Over the years I have attempted many forms of creative expression. My first love was music. My second love was a man. My third love was chasing the sensation of wonder and the thrill of adventure. Since then I have found myself trying many new forms of expression and creativity but nothing has ever felt as strong as those first loves.

I get an intense joy in creating but it really never lasts. The older I get the more I realise that I strive to constantly distract myself from an undercurrent of discontent. I am very good at solving problems but not in fact my own. I have lost sight of what I desire, want and need creatively.

Life is a tricky beast, sometimes it needs deep reflection. I'm still searching for a way to soothe the discontent. Maybe that is part and parcel with being a creative person? I am not entirely sure if it can ever be calmed.

Maybe my soul is crying out for the things that it cherishes most and I haven't found them yet? All that is left is the distance I have created.  Maybe the neglect of my true passion has meant that I have wandered into this wilderness. Maybe all I need to do is just write a simple song.