Dan Sultan

 Dear Readers,
Let me introduce you to my celebrity crush. Mr. Dan Sultan.

An Indigenous singer/songwriter/ actor and all round cool dude (in my opinion anyways).

I first saw Dan appear in the movie Bran Nue Dae(a musical inspired and written by an Aboriginal man from Broome in Western Australia). While the film looks at Indigenous issues in sometimes a "light hearted" manner, it struck a chord with me as to how accurate its portrayal of certain issues were; especially for the Western Australian Indigenous peoples. I worked in W.A. for almost two years with Indigenous students and my class (well the entire school) couldn't get enough of Bran Nue Dae and in particular Dan Sultan's song "Black Girl".

Anyways before I rave on forever I was so very delighted to hear that he would be performing at the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Land Rights Celebrations.
I made sure I trudged through the mud to get a front row seat!

 Can I just say that he is an AHHHHMAZZZING performer. He is raw and his voice is just mesmerising. He sang my favourite song from Bran Nue Dae and he sang one of my all time favourite songs "Your Mine" by Richie Valens so beautifully that it brought tears to my sister's eyes.
I also admire the fact that he makes an effort to support Indigenous events and the indigenous communities nation wide.  So I was totally shy but I had to walk up all confident and ask for a photo.

I got to wear my $3 vintage oversized cardigan. I <3 it, that's my sister Theresa with our friends Teesha and Eliza

 I'm not sure if I have made this clear but Wreck Bay is a beautiful Aboriginal community on the South Coast of NSW. This is the place where I take most of my beautiful beach shots. I grew up here and it's always nice to come back and see all my old childhood friends and family. It was such a special night.

I was also proud as punch to see some of my old students perform their Land Rights Rap. Repping Jervis Bay Public School and their awesome performance.


Big Love,


Falala Mele xo

OOTD Casual Bright

Dress: Forever 21 Shoes: Converse Jacket: Thrifted

Just a quick one. I have been really bad at getting outfit shots. Here is my OOTD from 2 days ago. I got this jacket from the $3 pile at Mickey and Mallory. I love the colour and pattern, its totally my kinda thing.



Big Love,

Falala Mele

Mickey and Mallory

Hello friends, I wanted to share with you my absolute favourite second hand shop. It's a big call I know, especially considering I only found it a few weeks ago in my home town and in the main street. A little sign caught my eye and I was like "Ummmm when did that get here?"

After walking up the steps I politely asked the girl behind the desk "So how long have you been here?"
"About a year now" she replied. My jaw almost hit the floor. How could I not have known about this? I've been home for about 6 months and I visit the local stores at least once a week if I'm not working.

Most of my local shops are run by church groups and I enjoy digging through the racks of clothes to find something that catches my eye. But in Mickey and Mallory, I have to decide what I am allowed to buy. There are so many wonderful things in here.....it's pretty much a visual feast. There is tonnes of vintage furniture, clothes, hats and bags. Handmade jewelery and badges, cute teacup sets, mirrors, frames, old suitcases and its all very neat and tidy. Its so easy to navigate around and there are almost three separate rooms/ spaces.

How cute are these? Handmade and so pretty

Pretty Jumpers / Cute China

I LOVE this store for a few reasons:

1. They are open 6 days a week. Most of the church opshops are run my kind old ladies who volunteer so they shut on the weekends but Mickey and Mallory are open on Saturdays until 2pm (I'm pretty sure anyways....but Saturdays they are open
2. The owners are so friendly and are willing to stay open a little longer for those people who get out of work close to the normal operating hours (its either 4pm or 5pm....apologies for my bad memory)
3. It is jam packed with things you are hard pressed to find anywhere else (I love their collection of old hats)
4. They offer a clothes swap option where you can bring in your old items and get store credit
5. The prices are really reasonable. Most places like this charge from $15 and upwards just because it;s cute and hip but these guys have prices starting from $5 and upwards. I'm the queen of bargains and I have seen a beautiful black sequined top with a statement floral embroidery on it and it was priced at $45. While this is more expensive than what I usually pay.....it's also a 'one of a kind piece' and things are only worth as much as you are willing to pay.......but sadly it was too small :(
6. They have a killer $3 rack (my favourite spot....you can see me dig through the big basket and rack every time I visit).

So if you're ever in Nowra, live in Nowra or just passing by; do yourself a favour and pop in Mickey and Mallory.

ps. I just popped in to the store today and found a new special. The $3 rack has just went to a $5 a bag option! They let you stuff as much as you can in one bag. WINNING yet again......did I tell you this is my favourite store?


Big Love,

Falala Mele

Op Shop Haul

Since I am not working full time at the moment ( I have been working casually around the local schools) I have had the luxury of visiting my favourite opshops on a regular basis. It really has become one of my most favourite things to do. I love going on my own so I can hunt through all the racks and baskets for something special.

My sister and I are similar sizes atm so that means when we shop together we go in with guns blazing hoping to find clothes, jewellery and bags before the other one does. It has been a bit unfair since she has to work 4 out of the 5 week days but I am trying to make the most of it while I am not working. I head back into full time work again in May and most if not all of our opshops close on the weekend because they are run primarily by volunteers. So I gotta make the most of it while I can!

Anyways I have tried to document my purhcases to show both you and my friends (we have a private facebook page where we show off our finds because we are spread out throughout the state now) and I have a few to share but I keep forgetting to post things.

1.  Knitted jumper $2.50 / Patterned sleeveless shirt $3.00 / Polka dot blouse $3.00
2. Tapes $0.20 Nirvana Nevermind / Dirty Dancing Soundtrack / Mariah Carey Music Box 
3. Heart Chain $2.00
4. 2009 Art & Design Guide (thats for you Emma...it's got all the best places to study)
5. Grandma Glasses $0.50 each

I actually have a lot to fill you in about but instead of writing a whole novel I will keep it short and sweet.

• I am very excited to be booking my NY tickets this week (God willing)!
• I am also very VERY VERY excited to see one of my most favourite artists (and I kinda never thought I would see him) the very fine Mr. Lenny Kravitz next week.
• Speaking of music I was fortunate enough to see Dan Sultan in an intimate acoustic concert at Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community for the Land Rights celebration day. I also got to give him a lil hug and get a photo. I was totally star struck. Pictures coming ;)
• I am moving again....another teaching job in another state. I'm excited to move to Victoria for another change. I have been home for about 6 months now and while its been nice to hang out with my family and friends from home...the itchy feet syndrome has got me on the move again. I will be in a school with my beautiful friend Malo. She is the Deputy Principal of the school and if you have been following Falala Mele for a while you may have seen the feature I did on her here.
• I also have a family reunion to attend in New Zealand this Easter. YAY for another reason to get the passport out. Even though my bank is never fat....I always seem to scrape by. I always think if I'm not spending it on important life events I'd probably spend it on silly crap anyways.

What's new with you all?

Big Love,

Falala Mele xo