London // Europe Part Due

London, England // The land of grey skies, great sneakers, clipped sentences, cobbled lanes and the best pre-mixed gin and tonics I've ever put my lips to... // Every morning on the way to the tube, I'd rug up, stroll past Westminster Abbey and marvel at the beautiful, Gothic architecture of the church. I love the history of this town.  // £2 of joy at the end of a long day in the studio + several episodes of Chatty Man with three flamboyant men = pure joy. // Supermarket toast, fresh OJ and a long flick through the Sunday paper at the Portobello House Hotel (which I'd highly recommend a stay at if you want a superbly comfy bed, lovely service and a short stroll to the famous Portobello Rd Markets). Although a downgrade on the much loved Australian classic, Marmite was the closest thing I could get to Vegemite after weeks of salty breakfast spread deprivation. (Don't want you thinking I'm actually into that stuff)  // Terrace living // I developed a sickening Nike + New Balance OBSESSION whilst away (I wore sneakers to a club one night in Stockholm, and now I fear I'll never turn back) // A close up on my favourite Petite Grand bracelet (I haven't taken it off since December) + my first and only night in a comfortable bed whilst in London...The rest I spent on a fold out mattress in a room the size of a toilet cubicle (which I surprisingly didn't mind)...//

Hey London, your city is great, innit?

x

E

Stockholm // 1

 

  

Week Uno. Stockholm, Sweden // Clear, blue skies + icy temperatures + more walking than I've probably done in the last four months combined // Beauty lighting in the bathroom + a commitment to more smiles even when I'm not feeling particularly smiley = the start of my #100daysofhappy Instagram series // Long strolls around markets brimming with vibrant blooms and antique treasures // Abrasive yet cheeky Italians + good coffee (a miracle in this city) + inspiration for my dream of developing an organisational OCD //  New socks from H&M + goosebumps (don't sleep with the window open, folks) // Even more walking + bad (giggly) Japanese buskers on the bridge to the Old Town + glistening channels of rushing water // Kitsch decor (cute, not sickening) + three hotel moves in the span of seven days (why are Stockholm hotels booked out and the streets so quiet?)...Don't let it's effortlessly hipster appearance fool you, this one (HTL) had no windows in either of the rooms I stayed in - torture. // Guitar noodling at the studio in my Pharrell hat (I wore it first, okay?)...// More updates on the way (prepare for an overload of good looking food (and hopefully people - these Swedes are rather attractive))...

Hotel staff are looking at me suspiciously as I've been sitting in the lobby bar for two hours, bobbing my head to Youtube choreography videos of Usher's new song 'Good Kisser'. I'm on the move again! No rest for the adventurers...

x

E

In Transit.

Syd -> Perth -> Dubai -> London -> Stockholm

Today marks the final day of "rest" (not really though, because I'm currently multitasking whilst in the studio) before heading into one of the most chaotic seven days of my year so far...After packing my life into boxes, stacking it neatly in storage and taking a whirlwind trip to Perth for a gig, I'm off to adventure my way through Europe. Three weeks of song writing, fresh Nordic air, strolls down cobbled lanes, people watching and endless pots of tea - my heart is at rest.

I can't wait to bring you along for the adventure! Stay tuned for crazy selfie videos of me battling language barriers, attempting to keep up with the ever-chic Stockholm street style folks (read, find one good outfit and wear it every day for seven days straight) and singing...LOTS of singing!

x

E

Images: iPhone, iPhone (feat. Perth designer Ae'lkemi), From Scandinavia With Love, Lekker Bikes, DigsDigs...

LA Numero 5

Today's soundtrack: Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience

From a cool, underground cave beneath a warehouse in Santa Monica, to a mansion in the tree-lined streets of Hollywood, my studio experiences in LA are proving to be extremely diverse...and boy oh boy does it make for some seriously exciting songwriting! I feel like I'm settling into the pace of life over here - finally I'm able to wake up at a reasonable hour, not end up in a ghetto when I bravely disconnect the GPS and eat meals at standard times (actually, consuming cereal at 11pm makes that last one not entirely true). That first week of feeling like a tourist sucked.

Next week's goals:

1) Avoid eating cake from Magnolia Bakery (or any baked goods, for that matter).
2) Drink fewer iced-soy-lattes-with-cinnamon. (In the high risk category for addiction).
3) Watch less TV.
4) Walk more.
5) See a chiropractor.
6) Go to church.
7) Find where all the young, eligible Californian boys are hiding.
8) Say what I mean and mean what I say.
9) Be awesome.


Off to a night session! I think I need a coffee...or a B12 injection...or a nap. Anything will do.

P.S NOBODY PREPARED ME (or my suitcase) FOR HOT WEATHER! Hello people, it's meant to be cold in the northern hemisphere...isn't it?

xx ELB

LA Numero 4

I'm so tired, I don't think I can form a proper sentence right now, so I'm going to say a few short words about the pictures above...

SO. MUCH. DELICIOUSNESS.

(I literally feel like all I do is sleep, drive, write, eat, take pictures of what I eat and watch Sex & The City over here...and the scary thing is, I'm not completely displeased about that.) 

Thanks to a few speedy lunch recommendations via Instagram the other day, I was able to switch on the trusty ol' GPS, hop on my noble steed (a zippy white Yaris) and drive 10 minutes down the road to Joan's On Third (West Hollywood) - a bustling, white-tiled cafe/gourmet grocer with many waiters of the male species. Dee-light. Every time I walk through the double doors, I'm instantly transported to what feels like a lovechild of my favourite haunts in Sydney (i.e youeni foodstore, Bread & Circus, The Grounds of Alexandria and ham). The salads are fresh, packed with flavour and healthy, therefore I've come to the conclusion that I've found my "spot" for the next month in LA. (Though I'm told that I'll change territories once I visit Cafe Gratitude later on this week...we'll see.)

Amidst my immense excitement over Joan's, I happened to conveniently spot a Benefit Cosmetics store across the road (where I willingly let an overly rosy-cheeked woman apply many 'necessary' products to my visage), several vintage boutiques, and last but not least, the famed Magnolia Bakery...I couldn't resist a giant, lemon syrup-drenched, coconut-filled, meringue-frosted slice of cake. Sorry gluten-intolerance, I really am (no I'm not).

P.S I'm so in love with my furry Timberland's - they kept my feet so toasty on a couple of freezing days here, though now it's so bloody hot, I'm wondering why I didn't pack more t-shirts...Whassup with LA weather, you guys?

P.P.S Apparently there were a few minor earthquakes in California over the last 48 hours? I was neither shaken, nor stirred. (But I'll still take a 007 on the rocks any day...oh my goodness, did I just type that? Just kidding Nanna!)

P.P.P.S Can't. Stop. Won't. Stop. Drinking. Soy. Iced. Coffee

P.P.P.P.S I refuse to take standard tourist-y pictures of touristy shiz because a) I hate crowds and b) touristy things are usually overrated anyway...

P.P.P.P.P.S I may cave on that last one, if I become enamored by the sight of the HOLLYWOOD sign.

xx ELB

Adventures in LA: Episode Uno

Adventures in Los Angeles: Episode Uno from Emma Birdsall on Vimeo.

I promise I will get better at:

a) Not telling myself to "calm down" every 15 seconds

b) Not yelling in the car

c) Not gargling water on camera

d) Not offering such abrupt endings to my terrible videos

xx ELB

LA Day Three.

 After one croissant, two headaches, two baths, two writing sessions, three cups of black decaf coffee and four hours of watching the Kardashians, I am finally sitting back in my pajamas enjoying a home-cooked meal. It's 2345 and jetlag has been haunting me in the middle of the day and waking me in the still of the night, but I feel like after just three short days in Los Angeles, I'm starting to settle in to the groove of city life. Driving is getting a little easier, streets are looking slightly more familiar and I've got this really clichéd sense of renewed independence. I feel like such a grown up!

I finished my session at about 7pm tonight and decided to make a stop over at The Grove on the way home. Never in my entire life have I been so happy to be at a mall (and if you know me, you'll know that I DESPISE shopping. In fact, I dislike it to the point of suffering multiple psychosomatic symptoms every time I walk into a department store. I swear, I go home with a fever and aching joints at least 8 out of 10 times)...Anyway, back to why I like The Grove. The beautiful white buildings are all structured around this gigantic fountain and the cobbled, tree-lined streets are consistently filled with the sound of festive, jazzy music (i.e Michael Buble, Harry Connick Jr.), and IT'S NOT EVEN CHRISTMAS, YOU GUYS! I had to stop myself from skipping with glee between Topshop and Abercrombie & Fitch. So, um, yeah, basically, it was a good time. My only purchase was a really nice scarf from Anthropologie, and that was purely because it was freaking freezing outside.

P.S Note the previously referenced gold head in the above picture. Creepy, right?

P.P.S My favourite boots from Seed are getting a serious workout. I love the quilting and the hardware around the heel, it all feels very Chanel. I need to find an outlet and stock up on Converse whilst I'm here too...

P.P.P.S I made soft tacos for dinner in my tiny kitchen (which happens to be devoid of tea towels, dishwashing liquid, utensils and standard appliances) (Note to self: must invest in aforementioned ASAP). They were delicious. Very simple: sauté an onion, sliced mushrooms and chicken in a splash of olive oil. Add a little taco seasoning and cracked pepper. Make a salad of cucumber, shaved radish, coriander and lemon juice. Dress with a touch of salt. Serve with warm brown rice and sliced avocado on a corn tortilla.

P.P.P.P.S I'm off to write in Calabasas tomorrow with a man that's written for Michael Jackson and Luther Vandross. One word: boss. 

I'm done with the post-scripts.

xx ELB

LA Day One.

You know you're delirious when a bag of baked snacks gets you excited about life.

Well well well, here I am in the big smoke - Los Angeles: The city of broken dreams. It's 2129 (I have to use 24 hour time or else, in amongst my jet lag/migraine hangover I will get extremely confused) and Hollywood Blvd is still abuzz with activity. I know this because I'm residing directly behind it for the next month in a little studio filled with all white furniture, a random orange elephant on the desk, a large gold foot stool shaped like a head (also quite random) and a mink throw on the bed (just to spice things up a bit). Apartment number 5 - all part of a charming block of flats owned by a super friendly guy with all the classic symptoms of anal retentiveness. (He had a check list of EVERYTHING, and I mean EVERYTHING in the apartment and insisted on me signing off on each item...including the knives and forks). Bless.

Beside me I have a half-devoured pack of Goldfish crackers, which were a cheeky treat in amongst the $150 worth of groceries I just unloaded into my tiny kitchen. Uh oh, here were go, don't get me started on the supermarket...I can't believe how cheap organic produce is here...and how they're allowed so many magical super strength painkillers on the shelf...and how many types of yoghurt they have. It's amazing! I could go on for days about the wonders I found in my local Ralph's, but I'll just let you in one bit at a time.

In amongst all the vegetables I bought, I also snuck in a cheeky box of corn pops too (my childhood dreams were shattered when they stopped shipping them to Australia...). Can't wait to get into those bad boys in the morning. (Mum, if you're reading this, don't freak out - I'm not going on some kind of sugar/wheat/salt binge).

2200: I'm going to eat a cucumber, drink my body's weight in Aqua Panna, take a bath and go to bed. Best to get straight on LA time, methinks. Tomorrow I brave the drive to Santa Monica for my first song writing session...Wish me luck!

P.S Wolfgang Puck has his own brand of pasta sauce here. Of course I bought it.

P.P.S I was tripping out big time as I drove myself from LAX to the apartment this afternoon, on the wrong side of the road, in the wrong side of a car...Not gonna lie, I had a few heart attack moments whilst turning corners.

xx ELB

Adventure.

I long to be spontaneous. To one day hastily pack an overnight bag with nothing more than a toothbrush, underwear, a few dollars and just run away...I imagine I would enjoy basking in the sun for hours, take dips in a nearby lake every so often, light a small fire each night to cook dinner and float my way through long, dream-filled days worthy of filling up a Hemingway. Perhaps I'd even be okay with sleeping on a rickety 5'8" (I'm 5'11") cot in a small canvas tent...Unlikely, but you never know.

Anyway, seeing the trailers for Wes Anderson's new film 'Moonrise Kingdom' are not helping to deter me from attempting something like the above in the next couple of weeks. Glassy lakes, sun-drenched fields, deserted beaches and glorious sepia-toned scenes of love, laughter and adventure - that's what I want my life to look like.

Sigh.

E

x