ON WATERLOO BRIDGE

AAA

The PRINTED BUSINESS FOLIO featuring the Mini on Waterloo Bridge is one of my favorite bags. It was brought in December 2007 when I was in Europe last for a friend’s wedding. Quality, unique, stylish, funky can all be used to describe it, but if I had to use just one word it would be fun. It is made of woven 100% polyester with zip opening and chocolate leather trims and handles. It has a removable adjustable shoulder strap and is internally lined with the signature purple canvas. A leather multi stripe, Mini shaped luggage tag is also included. What really surprised me the most about the bag was to find out that it was made of polyester. It has the feel of a high quality cotton canvas and just shows how far synthetic materials have really come. I should note that this is older version of the Business Folio and no long being made. I am no expert but I think the design changed in 2008 and the biggest difference is that the newer business folio’s are not as structured. The bag measures 31 cm x 42 cm x 10.5 cm and one large compartment with a zippered internal pocket.

Where: Paul Smith @ Heathrow Airport
When: December 2007
Cost: I can’t remember exactly what I paid for it, but it was on sale & tax free. (Currently the Printed Business Folio retails for £210 – roughly $425 AUD @ current exchange rate)

I have to say that I find Paul Smith products really good value for money. For what you pay for, which is quite reasonable considering what you can pay from other labels, you get really well constructed products that that not only look good but are also a joy to use and wear.

AAA

AAA

Life would be so boring without

P A U L AA S M I T H !

AAA

images: Project Procrastination

PRADA, PRADA, PRADA...

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SOMETIMES YOU JUST DON'T NEED WORDS

PRADA IS LOVE

images: Prada

HE NEEDS A KIDNEY

Sometimes life brings pain and strife

And all seems wrong

That is when you find a friend

And write a song

Give the gift of giving

Give it far and give it wide

Take the leap - reach down deep inside

And just give a kidney

To a father or a dad

Just give a kidney

We hear it doesn’t really hurt that bad

And we know you’ll want to give it

To a super human being

So get it done

We just need one

For Milton Greene

This country has six hundred million kidneys

And we really only need half

That leaves about three hundred million kidneys

Do the math

Milton Greene Milton Greene

Milton Greene Milton Greene

Milton Greene

He needs a kidney

Milton Greene

Don’t ask why - he could die

If you don’t call today

Listen, when someone starts talking in the middle of a song you know it’s serious. So give Milton a kidney. We all believe in this cause so much we’re doing it for free. Except for Sheryl. That’s right. I’m the only one getting paid. And only three of us are drunk. Milton Greene needs a kidney. Just like I need this beard. You don’t want to see what’s under here. And while you don’t have two beards you do have two kidneys. Think of it this way: if I had two dollars, I’d give you one, wouldn’t I? I’m one of the drunk ones!

They say that two is better than one

But sometimes one is better than two

If you had two heads you’d wish you had one

How is this different?

If you had two dogs attacking you

You’d want just one

There I proved my point!

Milton Greene Milton Greene

Milton Greene Milton Greene

Milton Greene

He needs a kidney

Milton Greene

Don’t ask why - he could die

If you don’t call today

He needs a kidney

No he doesn’t need a hand

He just needs a kidney

A hand would be an even harder thing to give

When you give a kidney

And we really think you should

We pass the cup

They stitch it up

You do some good

Elvis Costello, Mary J. Blige, Sheryl Crow, Clay Aiken, Adam Levine, Adrock and Mike D of The Beastie Boys, Michael McDonald, Rhett Miller, Wyclef Jean, Steve Earle, Moby, Cyndi Lauper, Brian McKnight, Sara Bareilles, Robert Randolph, Rachel Yamagata, Talib Kweli, Norah Jones

TV GOLD

image & video: itunes, NBC

THE EARLY BIRD

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DOESN'T ALWAYS CATCH THE WORM!

Apparently sales start next week in Perth so my little expedition became an exercise in window shopping. At least I can say I saved some money today! Perth can be so backwards sometimes...

CALVIN KLEIN Denim Jacket
SODA Print Shirt
TOPMAN Cargo Pants
CAMPER Brown leather Loafers
BURBERRY LONDON Green Herringbone Newsboy Cap
PRADA Pour Homme
PRADA Dark Brown Deerskin Leather Flat Messenger Bag

Image: Project Procrastination

WE'D BETTER GET BACK, 'CAUSE IT'LL BE DARK SOON…

…AND THEY MOSTLY COME AT NIGHT... MOSTLY

A

Alien Queen (May 2009)

Canon EOS 20D Digital SLR; Canon EF 85 mm f/1.2 L II USM

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image: Project Procrastination

ALIENS

“Get away from her you BITCH!”
Ripley, Aliens

A MODERN SCI-FI CLASSIC

Apparently no one gave James Cameron the memo that sequels are supposed to suck as ALIENS became a film that fully held its own ground of greatness in the face of an already outstanding original. An intense and thrilling modern cinematic masterpiece that transcends genre. Certainly one of my all-time favorite movies:

PURE ADRENALINE

image: 20th Century Fox

PAUL SMITH HASHBURY BOAT SHOE

Thanks to the heads up from Kevin @ My MANy Bags I found out that MACTHES where offering free worldwide delivery until May 31st 2009 when you enter MAYDELIVERY at the checkout. Always on the lookout for a bargain I had a look and found these marvelous Paul Smith Men’s Shoes on sale.

The HASHBURY is a Paul Smith Red Ear boat shoe made with fluorescent blue dip dye hurricane leather uppers. The shoe has a two eyelet with white leather laces; that are also featured around the side. The Paul Smith Red Ear logo is embossed on the tongue and they are finished with a floral printed insole and floral embossed white sole. They are 100% leather with rubber soles and come with stow bag. Originally priced at £188 (roughly $385 AUD @ current exchange) after the sale and minus VAT the shoes came to £111.30 (roughly $230 AUD @ current exchange), with the free shipping I saved myself a further £30. CAN ANYONE SAY BARGAIN! I love free shipping and I love the weak pound. I don't know what to do with such a bold pair of shoes??? I have no idea how to wear them or what to wear them with, but what I do know is that they will make a loud statement! Now I just have to wait for them to arrive. Patience...

Images: Paul Smith

AL’ VESUVIO

Ok so stage 17 wasn’t as decisive as I thought it would be. There was some great racing but when you have race leader Denis Menchov sticking to the back wheel of his closest rival Danilo Di Luca like a limpet no time was made or lost. Stage 18 was pretty much the same Di Luca tried everything but still couldn’t shake Menchov. So it has come down to stage 19 and it is business time now and should be the defining point of the Giro with only 26 seconds separating 1st & 2nd place it should make for a great night of racing, especially because it would have to be the most beautiful stage of this year’s Giro. A ride along the Amalfi coast through a string of UNESCO world heritage sites and finally up to Mount Vesuvius - it doesn’t get more dramatic then that! The history, the culture, the beauty and the grandeur of Italy all wrapped up into this one pivotal stage.

AAA

CYCLING DOESN’T GET MUCH BETTER THEN THIS

Image: www.stuckincustoms.com, cyclingnews.com

WHY MR BAILEY, WHY?

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The BURBERRY PRORSUM SPRING-SUMMER 2009 men’s bag collection was amazing; from the leathers and exotic skins to the canvas mega check in dark olive. I wanted to buy them all, with many sleepless nights spent trying to decide just which one to get. In the end I decided on the all LEATHER LARGE SATCHEL HOLDALL. It is incredibly versatile and has the most beautiful leather so it is no surprise that it is one of my favorite bags now, but I still can’t get the Canvas Mega Check out of my mind.

With the holdall already in my possession my attention has turned to the CANVAS CHECK TOTE BAG. It comes in cotton canvas with black leather trim and comes with two leather strap handles with chunky dark nickel buckles. Large front pocket with magnetic snap button closure and a detachable leather and cotton cross body strap with adjustable chunky dark nickel buckles. It measures 42 cm x 43 cm x 12.5 cm with a 20 cm drop and retails for $1395 USD (roughly $1800 AUD @ current exchange rates). Not a cheap bag but it sure is PRETTY and papa does need a tote!

AAA

Now to make matters worse the BURBERRY PRORSUM FALL-WINTER 2009 men’s bag collection features both the cotton canvas holdall and tote bags in a new dark blue check.

Now I don’t what to do! Do I want a holdall or a tote? Do I want the dark olive check or the dark blue check? Now I wont be able to get any sleep and get any work done for my thesis! Why oh why MR BAILEY, are you such a genius? Why do you have to design such beautiful bags? And why do you have to make me have a

BRAIN EXPLOSION

Images: Burberry

...& THE COOKED

Blue Manna Crab (Janurary 2008)

Canon EOS 20D Digital SLR; Canon EF 24-70 mm f/2.8 L USM

image: Project Procrastination

STAGE 17: CHIETI – BLOCKHAUS

Talking about an uphill finish! Stage 17 looks to be the Make or Break stage of this year’s Giro. So far my pick to win, Denis Menchov is currently in the leaders pink jersey and has ridden an outstanding tour thus far, especially after stages 16 (a killer stage with riders spending over 7 hours in the saddle!) were his main rivals tried to but could not break him. That stage was a killer with riders over 7 hours in the saddleToday’s stage is incredibly short (expected finish just over 2 hours) at 83 km, but consists of a massive 27 km climb up an exceptionally steep BLOCKHAUS, at 2064 m in elevation. If riding 27 km up a mountain wasn’t bad enough the last 2 km are considered the most difficult. Talk about adding insult to injury. It is going to be a long night.

OMG Excitement Overload!

image: SBS

THE RAW...

Blue Manna Crab (Janurary 2008)
Canon EOS 20D Digital SLR; Canon EF 24-70 mm f/2.8 L USM

image: Project Procrastination

THE PAUL IN PAUL SMITH

Paul Smith is one of the few designers who characterises style in both a relaxed and elegant way, never failing to add a touch of humor to all his designs; from a bag, socks through to his mainline suits. Every new season comes with a new line of interesting and intriguing accessories released with photographic imagery and colourful patterns; along with the icons of the house: THE STRIPED MINI, THE MULTI-STRIPE & THE NAKED LADY. They are always very British and unique enough to make a statement yet always have a feel of understatement to them.

My most recent Paul Smith purchase has been a MINI PRINT COIN DOUBLE BILLFOLD WALLET ($350 AUD from REALM). The moment I saw it I knew I just couldn’t say no. It features traditional Paul Smith branding, coupled with one of England’s most recognisable icons, THE STRIPED MINI. The outer “work” side of the wallet is crafted in fine black Italian calfskin leather. The inner “play” side this time features THE STRIPED MINI under Mr. Smith’s favorite oak tree, and now mine!

This wallet never fails to put a smile on my face whenever I open it up! I love the quality, I love the print, I love the craftmenship, I love Paul Smith wallets. The perfect companion for anyone and any occasions.

A

LONG LIVE THE MINI

images: Paul Smith, Project Procrastination

ROLAND GARROS 09

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THE FRENCH OPEN 2009 (May 24th - June 7th)

Growing up playing tennis, THE FRENCH OPEN was always my favorite Grand Slam. I spent many a late night up watching it and every year I eagerly a wait its return. I love the clay; I loved the tension and the drama; and I love the crowd most of all. I my opinion they are the most knowledgeable tennis spectators in the world. They will always applaud and will never be afraid to let you know that they are not on your side! I love all the memories, but I will definitely never forget:

GRAF v HINGIS 1999
4-6, 7-5, 6-2

“It had everything. It was one of the craziest matches ever. I don’t know what else could have happened. A lot of circumstances which made it very bizarre sometimes.”
Graf

It was as much an ordeal as a spectacle; an emotional roller coaster and in the end there was a villain and a hero, tears and tantrums, then laughter and all was forgiven.

It has always been one of my dreams to make it to the French Open one day, I nearly did it in 2003 when I was living in London but the timing didn't work out. With a wedding in June 2010 in London it looks like it might just be my year. Fingers crossed!

Sticking my neck out I am going to predict a Williams sisters final with Serena prevailing and Roger Federer finally defeating Rafael Nadal for 2009

J'ADORE LE ROLAND GARROS

images: French Open

CROATIAN D.C.

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SUNDAY NIGHT @ THE STONES

GOOD FOOD & GOOD FRIENDS
WHAT MORE CAN YOU ASK FOR?

images: Project Procrastination

CERVO EBANO MAKES 3

My PRADA DARK BROWN DEERSKIN LEATHER FLAT MESSENGER BAG was also brought in mid 2008 and is my third deerskin bag. The leather on this messenger is the best out of all my deerskin bags; it is really thick and super soft. The best part is that it has a really soft brown nappa leather lining which to me is really luxurious.

Measuring 30 cm x 30 cm x 2 cm it has an interior zip pocket and an exterior front zip pocket both of which are also lined in nappa leather. Its adjustable grosgrain strap with deerskin leather shoulder pad is thick and comfortable to wear. Great for those days when you just want to take out the necessities and don’t want anything to bulky, suprisingly it can hold a lot as long as it doesn't have to much bulk. Another classic piece with clean lines and a simple design that will not date, so I can see myself with it for a very long time.

I HEART PRADA

images: Project Procrastination