NAIDOC Celebrations Nowra & Wreck Bay

This week I attended two different NAIDOC day events in the Nowra and Wreck Bay communities.

So you might be thinking What is NAIDOC Week? 
Well it's a week long celebration held to recognise the culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia. Many people (even those collectively held under the generalised term 'Australians') know little to nothing about the histories of the indigenous people of Australia.

It is a complex and delicate history and I've yet to find a textbook or school system that extensively and objectively explains and or recounts it. It's history has some similarities to other countries. Someone sets out with a purpose to find new and perhaps uninhabited land. They explore,  then claim the land and set upon changing the land and it's people to suit their needs. Indigenous Australians were misplaced, introduced to foreign diets and diseases. Some were taken from their families and put into homes, others were forbidden to speak in their language and or carry out traditional practices.

In 1965 a bus of Sydney University students travelled through NSW to expose the discrimination and living conditions of Aboriginal people. After this the"Assimilation policy is changed to that of Integration – Aboriginal people entering Australian society on their own terms and preserving as much of their culture as they choose".
It wasn't until 1967 that "91% of Australian voters vote YES in a Referendum to count Aboriginal 
people in the census and give the Commonwealth the power to make laws for Aboriginal people". This history and the fight for rights for Aboriginal people is still very fresh. To see a brief timeline of Indigenous rights and history click HERE.

It is a broad political issue in Australia and one that many choose to forget. The 'gap' between non-indigenous and indigenous Australians in education and health standards is a national shame. Yes, the government is trying to CLOSE THE GAP and while we are often bombarded with negative statistics, attitudes, comments and images about Aboriginal people, it's NAIDOC WEEK that reminds me how strong and vibrant they really are. They are an intricately unique, beautiful, honest and humble people. They are vast and varied. They deal with dual societies and cultures and generally live for moments rather than merchandise. They captivate me and I understand and identify with them because they became my culture when I was raised away from my own. They are not perfect nor without fault, because none of us are.

I wandered around both celebrations soaking up the beauty. I greeted all the Aunties and Uncles and people that I haven't seen in a while. I hugged my friends and were astounded by their growing tribe of beautiful babies. This place is alive and buzzing with life. Young people getting up and fearlessly telling stories through lyrics and music. Organisations reaching out and connecting. This is a proud and growing community of mine.

Big Love,

Falala Mele

Aussie Curves: Sparkle in Las Vegas

Hello lovely ones,

How are you all? So I'm back again with another submission for the Aussie Curves challenge. I'm stuffing up my own rotation because in my head I wanted to share all my USA holiday posts in order (see Harlem post HERE)  because that way I will actually get it done this year (fingers crossed). Since this week called for sparkle I knew what I wanted to share with you all. 

But for one moment; let us forget about the challenge so I can talk to you about someone else.

This lady is someone who I admired ever since I was a little girl. She is perhaps (and I know I'm making a big call) one of the last standing divas of my time because I love singing and when I was a little girl I would try and emulate 3 singers: Whitney, Mariah & Celine. Sadly Whitney is gone, Mariah lost her sparkle (lol thinking of her movie Glitter) so that leaves one lady standing. 

Now you must understand that I am not crazy, but I basically extended my plane ticket to head towards Las Vegas instead of Sydney after New York to see her in the flesh after I found out her show was back in Vegas. I had to let that heavenly voice bless my ears. To hear her sing for real. 

 I may blare her 'Think Twice' and 'The power of love' when I'm cleaning. 

Even though I try to belt it out with her power and finesse and even though I never will be able to do what she does, at least I can say that I saw Celine Dion and I heard her sing her songs even better than I could ever have imagined.

She is flawless, effortless, humble, warm, talented and blessed.

And I got to see all of that.

And I am blessed because of that.

So while my dress may sparkle in the photos; honestly and as cheesy and silly as this may sound......my heart sparkles because I remember the glorious melodies she shared with us on this night.

Thrifted: Chain $2 Earrings $2 Dress $20

Bag: Thrifted for $2 / Shoes: Target $30

What I wore: 
I picked up this FABULOUS sparkly number from my favourite Op Shop Mickey and Mallory (Nowra, NSW) for only $20. Jess actually said she put it aside for me because she thought I would like it. Don't you love it when shop owners/assistants get it right!

I wanted to look cool when I went to see Celine and this event took precedence over all other events. This outfit was chosen first and saved till last.
When packing for this trip I had to be sensible and pack a pair of comfortable shoes that went with a lot of outfits. So these Target wedges won out (I really do love them anyways but it sucks when you can't take everything that you want to). I kept everything else simple and let the dress do the talking.
Also had big dreams to style my hair in may different ways but I kid you not EVERY TIME we had a show on or an dinner date to meet up with others we were ALWAYS LATE. That combined with the heat (and uncooperative frizzy hair) I always ended up throwing my hair back into a bun. Boring I know, but it was reliable and slick so I will not complain about it now because that's what I had to work with ;)

 I got ready in 15 minutes! Literally ran off the strip had 2 minutes in the shower to rinse of the dirt. Throw the hair up and douse it in hairspray. Bronze the face, apply eyeliner and a lick of my favourite matte colour. Perfume, moisturiser and I'm ready to go! Ruthy decided to rock the bed hair look with her pretty Forever 21 dress that she picked up in Times Square. My sister Theresa looked adorable too but I think she is saving her post to share with you lovely ladies herself. Caesar's Palace was cool but it was basically like all the other casinos in Vegas; big, smokey, kinda tacky, packed and well used.

Big Love,


Falala Mele xo

ANZAC Dawn Service

Jacket: Thrifted $5 / Dress: City Chic $15 / Tights: Kmart / Scarf: Cotton On / Beanie: Thrifted $1 / Shoes: Converse

ANZAC Dawn Service at Greenwell Point

 

 

 

 
Today my family and I woke up at 4am to brave the insanely cold air to pay respects and remember our brave ANZACs who fought the battle at Gallopoli. Men from Australia and New Zealand went to a foreign land to fight for our freedom. Australian, Aboriginal, Polynesian, Maori and Kiwi's all fought side by side for their country. Thank you to all those who fought. Thank you to the those who still serve our country and to all those families who sons never returned; we are all indebted to you.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. 

Lest we forget.

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