Blogtoberfest Day 31: The End

Thank flipping goodness it's the end of Blogtoberfest. No offence intended, I just found it hard, as demonstrated by a few holes. Or a few late posts here and there.

Please mop my brow. Or maybe my sister could get one of these and get her baby to mop my floor?

Blogtoberfest Day 30: And The Bad News Is...

For days you have probably been wondering what the bad news is. Tossing and turning in bed late at night, racking your brain, what could possibly be the bad news PMM is going to spring on her readers?

Well here it is. I didn't have any bad news all those days ago. Nothing much exciting to report, no news is good news, you know. But today, the bad news is that I went out to a soiree last night, and now no longer have my favourite sunnies. This is incredibly bad news because I am one of those people that very rarely looses anything particularly favoured accessories. I'm consoling myself with some virtual shopping. Here are my top six picks for sunglasses today.Charles Anastase via my friend Emma's beautiful new online destination offtherunwayPhillip Lim via offtherunway

Ksubi Eyes via

AM eyewear via

Le Specs via

Karen Walker via

Blogtoberfest Day 29: The Big SNAP-ple

I've been waiting. And now I have the perfect reason to move to NYC.

A sewing class with the delectable Jenny Gordy? Much better than being rapped over the knuckles by a cranky old lady.

I wonder if Matt will visit on weekends...?

image via

The Good News Is... A Giveaway

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to run a brand spanking new giveaway. Buyster Lighting is giving one lucky reader the opportunity to win a voucher for $130 to spend on a new light or lamp of your choice.

Lighting has the power to really make or break a room. I'm always trawling blogs and decorating magazines looking for inspiration, the addition of a lamp can really boost the mood (and who doesn't love a bit of mood lighting? or some tricky up-lighting to take ten years off?).

And who wouldn't love to rub a lamp and have a genie appear? Come on, I know you want to, but what would your three wishes be? Hmmm.. Chocolate to be calorie free? Weekends and weekdays to switch (2 days of work, 5 days of weekend)? Rabbits not to bite? (Just to save you time, Buyster Lighting don't have any genie lamps in stock at the moment, maybe after Christmas.)

And here you are my friend wondering how to enter?

So easy all you have to do is answer this question:

What's been one of your big lightbulb moments? (mine is always changing, but lately, it's that personal success is not just one single thing, it's ever-evolving).

Competition will close next Wednesday 4th November and is only open to Australian readers. Sorry to my international readers. I still love you.

Blogtoberfest Day 27: Hello. My Name Is...

Hello friends. My name is PMM. And I have road rage.

I despise all those toffy-nosed mothers who drive huuuuge 4WDs and then try to talk to me about carbon footprints. But most of all I despise them because they hog the road, then underneath their ten kilos of eye make-up they shoot me evils because I keep trying to edge them out of the way. I hate 4WDs in the city. Where are you 4WDing to my friend? Up the gutter?

I despise their road-hogging when I'm trying to fang it with only minutes to spare when I pick up the Doctor from pre-school. I shake my fist at you sisters and your road-hogging tendencies. You don't own the road just because your car is a beast and probably costs more than the sum total of my life earnings. I don't care!

Someone give me one good reason why 4WDs should stay in the city, and I will not object, this is me, PMM - Mayoress of Cranky-ville.

PS - Ever used Evening Primrose Oil? Super good. But check with your GP before taking it.

Blogtoberfest Day 26: Things You Should Know About Me

I'm turning more and more into a Glee gleek. I can't help it. I'm hooked. I've even started downloading select tracks from iTunes. I'd ask for an intervention, but I don't want one.

After all, there are only three more sleeps.

Missed Day 25 due to my sister's birthday. Happy Birthday Nar. Sorry readers, but cupcakes and chocolate pavlova called. And I listened.

My Place and Yours:: Bedside

I was lucky enough to be Theme Queen for this week's My Place and Yours. I chose bedside. Probably not a wise move on my behalf because my bedside is a breeding ground for unread reading matter and a petri dish of sorts for dust. Dust! (Marjorie Dawes can come and eat at my bedside if she likes?)

It must be told that I am pedantic about my bedtime regime. I can not go to sleep without applying lip balm (and this comes in the form of my favourite non-lip balm product Lansinoh - perfect for cracked nipples AND lip balm) and my L'Occitane hand cream. Will not go to sleep without them. You might think I'm crazy, and quite frankly, I will have to agree with you.

Other bedside matter, Tiny's 'radio' or 'phone' (as the Doctor calls it) because I can NEVER hear her through the walls), some pretty books, a hair piece made by Nan and a Moleskin notebook and pen. Because all the best thoughts come in the darkness.

What you don't see is a pile of ever-changing magazines. My favourite of them all is Australian Country Style. Every single month, I snuggle into bed and nights on end, devour each and every page. Such a dreamy magazine.

Blogtoberfest Day 23: Can't Wait

Matt loves Jane Campion. I love period dramas. Matt loves Abbie Cornish. I love poetry.

We both can't wait to see this new film.

Blogtoberfest Day 22: Exploring

via

The Doctor has been online exploring, sitting side-by-side while I clock up some work time. It's quite handy, and I think (or am I just brainwashing myself) quite useful for him to be learning some computer skills. Data entry may be just around the corner. Just kidding.

You might be aware of all that's online for little kids to play with, but we're just on the cusp of learning. We've fooled around on the Yo Gabba Gabba (or Yo Givva Givva as the Doctor calls it) site quite a bit. And there's oodles on there, with their signature upbeat and retro styling - what's not to love? Old stylie games (would it be naughty to admit I loved playing Planet Pong??), heaps of videos (with loads of good music - The Shins anyone?), and even gizmos you name it, Yo Gabba Gabba scores big time. While the games are good, some are a little advanced for our little four and a half year old. Unless you want to sit there assisting. Which trust me can become tired after a while.

The Wiggles site is also a winner. Easy games for the Doctor to manipulate and navigate. He spent a loooong time on here. There are puzzles, online colouring in, memory games and so on.

Playschool. He hasn't got to this one yet, and I have blogged about the Playschool site before. It's a good one and includes simple recipes that the smalls can make too. It has plenty of project ideas too. Printable colouring pages. Birthday party ideas. Useful box activities (in alphabetical order no less). It's cute. I like it.

Do your smalls visit any websites?

Blogtoberfest Day 21: Bedside

Before anyone gets their knickers in a knot, I have no idea whose this photo is. If it's yours let me know and of course I will fully credit you! I stuck it in my inspiration folder, and er, I didn't tag it correctly. I love it. I'd like it to be my bed. Maybe we could share? I come with a husband and two smalls. It'd be squashy. But as long as you didn't get your mattress off the side of the road, we're tight.

Anyway, what am I banging on about today? I am the THEME QUEEN for Pip's new meme. Are you a signed up member? If not, click over here (but not before you read this). My theme for this week - BEDSIDE.

Are you fostering a range of dust bunnies next to your bed? Do you have a forest of used tissues tucked under the mattress? Is bedtime precarious because of your leaning tower of books? Or are you growing something in an old glass of water? We want to see it. Messy. Tidy. Styled. Whatevers. Just show! Ok you can go forth and click over to Pip now!

image via

Blogtoberfest Day 20: Watch This

While visiting over at Knot Sew Crafty, I came across this piece of inspiration in the form of William Kamkwamba. At just twenty years old, he's done more than most of us will do in a lifetime, he's changed his community.



You can donate to William here.

If you have the means, wouldn't it be ace to help someone get through school? There are loads of excellent gift-giving ideas too. Education is such a powerful thing.

Blogtoberfest Day 19: Bedtime Reading

See this? See this? After a hard day cleaning all the windows, waiting for the cleaner (oh bummer, that's me), general house hold duties, re-arranging, baby whispering, as well as paying work, well I am looking forward to crawling into bed with the new Frankie.

My Place and Yours:: On The Shelf

I could show you my collection of stilettos given they've been put on the shelf because these days, I don't really want to pounce around the house in a pair of heels, only to trip over the Doctor's collection of trains, or Tiny's menagerie of softies. I'd need a stack hat for that, and that would ruin my eternal bad hair day. So I won't, because who wants to look at my collection of unused sad stilettos, only to be cast into a sad-on? Not me!

So I'll show you this shelf instead.

:: a deco mirror that was being tossed about by a colleague

:: a Sukie calendar

:: a shot of my Mum and Dad in courting days (I love the word courting)

:: a bird print from a church sale - 50 cents

:: soldier skittles found in the bin

:: vintage plate found no doubt in a church oppy

:: Matt's collection of beer bottle tops (ahem)

Are you playing My Place and Yours? You're not? Well got over to Mikes and hook yourself up with the fun-skis.

I'm this week's Theme Queen, but my crown has fallen off and I haven't figured mine out yet. I promise I will keep thinking.

Blogtoberfest Day 18: The Emancipation of Our Courtyard

The Doctor and I have been hard at work in our small courtyard setting it free from years of wisteria, errant bougainvillea, and whatever else has decided to manifest itself into the soil and block out the sunlight. I'm not sure my MIL is so impressed with our handiwork, but we're sick of the mosquitoes (and we're thinking of it as a medical priority for the safety of T-Rex). We might also develop SAD and a lack of Vitamin D because there ain't a lot of sunshine beaming through, so on a multi-level we're taking care of business.

We're calling it the emancipation of our courtyard. Kind of like this emanicipation, but without the glass shattering singing.

Matt's busy studying, so the Doctor and I are honing our skills as horticulturalists. I even bought the Doctor his own pair of psycho-claws (secateurs) which he proudly wields, and a new pint-sized pair of gloves since one of his has gone AWOL. (Speaking of which Briars are making fab snug-fitting, latex beauties, perfect for budding gardeners (get it get it???) - you can buy them here).

PS - Did you know I secretly love Mariah Carey? My old flatmate and I always loved rocking out to Mariah. Quelle daggy, I know. Who's your secret music lurve?

Blogtoberfest Day 17: Things You Don't Want To Hear

Thing One: When you're just about to go out for dinner with your beau, and the babysitter says: 'I hope no one needs to go to hospital, I've already drunk too much.' Already? You mean you're going to be drinking more while you're caring for our children??

Thing Two: In the shower with the Doctor: 'Mum, you're getting chubs.' Another boost for self-esteem. Go me (straight to Weight Watchers that is).

And here's a beautiful rose from our garden. It's got thorns too.

Blogtoberfest Day 16: Mr Mango

Here is a mango. Do you think he's happy that he's about to be eaten?

It's almost mango season, first mangoes are in the shops. This fills my bloody, sinewy heart with deep inner joy. Mango season is my very favourite part of the year. I look forward to it, I mourn it once it's done and dusted. I love standing over the sink with skin and seed, sucking all the goodness from it, all the flesh, every single slither.

For other faces found in inanimate objects, visit here.

Blogtoberfest Day 15: The Big Love

It's been four years since I walked out our front door after swilling a glass of champagne, hopped into a car with my Dad and sped off to the church. I was late. I hate being late. I imagined you standing at the alter wondering what was taking me so long. The answer? Fluffing around the house. But I arrived, the music played, I walked down the aisle and you and me, we got hitched. We walked out and guests threw petals and dried lavender*. There was music and laughter.

We are stuck together. Happily, blissfully, sometimes bumpily, we are stuck together.

* if you're getting married, i have a top tip! don't have dried lavender. it got stuck in my eye.

FYI - When I say I was 'fluffing around' - I mean faffing, like just stuffing around not really doing anything. Nothing else. Just wanted to clarify that...!

Blogtoberfest Day 14: In Pursuit Of Happy-ness

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Lately I've been thinking. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt.

I know being happy is an important factor in life. If asked what is important to most people, I am sure 'being happy' is in their top ten, if not top five. But when does seeking happy-ness turn into a futile search? And while people are seeking their happy-ness, do they factor in the hurt or stress they might be causing other people?

While washing the dishes, Matt and I discussed a seeming emerging trend of men leaving their partners and children because they 'don't want this lifestyle and they're not happy'. It frightens me how often I am hearing this. Is it an epidemic? Is it our society? The perpetual search and focus on being happy, rather than 'being' and 'loving' and 'living'.

Or it could even be happy-ness in the simple guise of buying, 'oh I just had to buy this because it made me happy.' Accumulating makes you happy? Uh HUH?!

But it's the messages we're receiving.

TV shows focus on being happy,they show happy families, or what happens to people when they're not happy. Commercials provide products as answers on how to become happy. Buying this that, and whatever else is apparently going to make me happy. But has our society lost the way and rather than focussing on all the good things, all the things we need to be grateful for, have we usurped all of the importance of family life, living and the simple things (for instance enjoying a special home cooked meal, really hearing a song for the first time, watching the light change in the day or seeing your children grow/learn/love - or maybe just being) - isn't this enough? Is happy-ness becoming a cumulative thing? Do I have to keep moving to be happy?

For me, the answer is no. I can experience the dives, the dips, the wallowing and the sadness, but still feel grateful, a glimmer of happiness lurking in the shadows of a grey day. I know I don't need to be happy all the time. I know I don't need to seek it out, because it seeks me out in the most curious of ways.

Family life isn't perfect. It has it's ups and downs. As does single life. Or partnered life. Or whatever life. There's no one lifestyle that flatlines at pure happiness. There are days when I am overcome with love and affection for my smalls, when I am astounded at them in awe. And then there are those (rare) days when I tell Matt 'let's switch and I'll go back to work' (and the next day I tell him I was kidding).

But it's something that really worries me. The condemnation of feeling sad, or lonely, or angry, because it seems there's a push to BE HAPPY! I know Bobby McFerrin sang about it all those years ago, but now it feels as though it's running rife. Like there's some crazed happy 'pusher' forcing us to feel the need to be happy. And I don't like it.

How do children ever learn to feel the full range of emotions when all they're hearing is that you should be happy?

I'm going to fight it. I'm going to let my children, myself, my husband run the gamut of emotions. I fear that if you don't, then you can't create, you can't relate, you can't empathise, and it is then that you really run the risk of not being happy. I want them to feel what it really is to feel sad, to feel angry. I'm not going to tell them 'don't worry, be happy' because sometimes you just can't. I don't want to feel bad for feeling angry, after all, the messages I am hearing are - you should be happy, as though I have a duty to that one emotion.

And then you have the question, what is happiness? It's about as airy as the question, what is art? And it's best discussed another day, when I'm off my high-horse.

Blogtoberfest Day 13: The Grand Ol' Oppie

really cute vintage tea cup - made in England

a wee vintage children's mug. made in Japan. of course.

gorgeous old dish, totally crazed, but i'm totally crazy for it; small Royal Albert saucer with spots

I haven't been getting to the op shops much lately, mainly because the one closest to me, I hate to say it, is a complete rip off. I realise it's a charity shop, but seriously, I have to think twice before I buy something because it's not so price-friendly these days.

But today it is so Spring-tastic, the junior burgers and I went for a walk, and I worked in a visit to the oppie before heading to the park for a spell.

I hit the jackpot. I got all of this, and two kids books for $10. Have you found anything fab at the oppie lately?

PS - Did you catch the stellar sunset last night? So pretty!

Eye Spy:: My Favourite Corner of My House

Here's something I prepared earlier. In one of my cleaning spates. I took a photo as testament that I actually cleaned. AND as a bonus, moved things around. While it's not technically a corner, I've taken poetic license, and here is my favourite non-corner of the moment. Since you're still here, you can also play eye spy, can you spot the:

1) horse

2) donkey

3) birdies

4) spots

5) something vintage (that one is a cinch)

For more favourite corners, or to play along, head on over to Bug and Pop and give Cindy a high five while you're there.

Blogtoberfest Day 12: One Word

I got this off Pip. She got it off someone else, but you can click over to visit her and read her one worded scoop. Here's mine.

1. Where is your mobile phone? here
2. Your hair? short
3. Your mother? cute
4. Your father? funny
5. Your favourite food? chocklit
6. Your dream last night? rabbits
7. Your favourite drink? pomegranate
8. Your dream/goal? changes
9. What room are you in? living
10. Your hobby? computering
11. Your fear? spiders
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? loving
13. Where were you last night? bed
14. Something that you aren’t? camel
15. Muffins? please!
16. Wish list item? unsure
17. Where did you grow up? Tamworth
18. Last thing you did? choglud
19. What are you wearing? jeans
20. Your TV? fat
21. Your pet? bunbun
22. Friends? fun
23. Your life? slow
24. Your mood? calm
25. Missing someone? sister
26. Vehicle? white
27. Something you’re not wearing? lederhosen
28. Your favorite store? vintage
29. Your favorite color? blue
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? yonksago
32. Your best friend? london
33. One place that I go to over and over? pantry
34. One person who emails me regularly? matt

35. Favorite place to eat? youngalfred

Are you going to play too?

Blogtoberfest Day 11: ARGH!

I had a tippity top day today catching up with a girlfriend for lunch. On the menu, tomato salad with baby beetroot, fetta, walnuts, parsley = yum! Followed by a pecan + raspberry tart, hello, I'm in paradise. Feed me more Seymour, more!

And then I came back to find the smalls were still squabbling over le Bunbun (who coincidentally, and unfortunately has not yet been named), with the Doctor trying to cover him and Tiny inadvertently squashing him. Eeek!

When really, all I have to say is, I have nothing to say. Except this is a common sight at our house these days.

Blogtoberfest Day 10: Welcome Le BunBun

Excuse the poor photo, it's all I could muster. But we're totally smitten with our newest family member. Here at Chez PMM we're thrilled to welcome our new baby bunbun. Just six weeks old and totally adorable. Some predicted it way back when, and, well, we have a pet other than a goldfish. Hear the excitement. Feel the excitement. We are with bunbun!

Blogtoberfest Day 9: Little Peeps

Looking for crafty inspiration, it's been a looong time since the Doctor and I joined forces to craft. I sought inspiration. I found it with Sophie from Her Heart My Hands. Little people to do with the little people.

Kiddley is such an awesome resource for parents. And I love this little person template created by Sarah at The Small Object, oh I salute thee. So many brilliant ideas, right there at your fingertips - and with a search engine to boot, I can sit on there for days and marvel at all that BRILLIANCE. I must admit, I'd forgotten about it. I'd fallen off the kiddie craft bandwagon. Had a bruised hiney to boot, but now I am back, and searching for more brilliant ideas. I am back in the saddle! Raw hide, yeeeehaaaa!

So many salutes, so little time. Back to the glue, the doilies and the glitter pens.

Blogtoberfest Day 8: Feeling Beachy Keen

winds so big the garbage bin lid was blown open. you see incredible things on pmm.

An outing was scheduled for this morning to go forth and visit the beach. I was looking forward to some pseudo-Wintery beach action. Collecting shells, building sandcastles, frolicking on the sand a la Bette Midler. This was the dream people. So when we got there after a 40 minute drive to discover this, let me tell you, this Mama felt a little angsty.

Two fire trucks with all the fireys downing hot cups of coffee, one man filming the over-sized seas, a lone rescue board stuck in the sand, the ocean pool full to overflowing, and 10 foot waves that Bodhi would have thought gnarly. And there were the two smalls and I, blowing in the wind.

Beach closed. Beach more than closed. Beach almost swept away with a higher than high tide. Our dreams dashed by an ominous grey sky. We stayed for 20 minutes. Enough for the Doctor to walk on the sand. Enough for the fireys to drive past, toot at us and wave, enough for the surfy dude who was filming to say hi, enough for Tiny to get all crazy and excitabugs with the wind in her fairy floss hair.

Yep. Call us crazy.

Blogtoberfest Day 7: Ak-tee-va-tees

We're in the midst of holiday hullabaloo. Help me! Save me! Throw me a buoy!

Really, it's not bad. How bad and batty can I get when the Doctor only goes to pre-school two days a week anyway?

Here's a list of activities we've been getting stuck into, because it keeps the Doctor busy, and keeps Mama happy:

- bubbles - outside letting the wind blow the bubbles willy nilly. What child, or mother, doesn't dig on some sweet bubble action?

- baby-cinos a-go-go - out in the wilderness, no one can hear the screams, getting out with the smalls does me wonders, particularly when we get a sweet treat

- drawing - the Doctor is hitting his stride and going through a new phase of drawing. Layers and layers, people are being added to with new features (saucer-like eyes are the feature du jour), while Tiny loves working with one colour. And ahem. Different materials. Ie books, the couch, the table, the walls, her own body.

- tidying - the Doctor has a real knack for messing up his room, certainly doesn't get that from me *ahem*, so we're honing the fine art of tidying. Every single afternoon.

- walking - we indulge in a morning or afternoon walk. Each one offers up different specialties. Morning times, we escape being rained on. Afternoons, we dart through rain drops, laughing, together.

- baking, it's so freaking cold here right now (hello 30 degree days, where art thou??), baking is exactly what's needed to add another layer to our winter coats. Cough. Cough. Coughcoughcough.

What are you doing to keep the kiddios busy?

Blogtoberfest Day 6: Escargot?

Little people have the capacity to do really big gross things.

Take yesterday when Tiny ambled over to me with a strange expression on her face. She is always shoving random things in her mouth. She thinks it's a hoot. I am always rescuing pieces of Lego, coins, googly eyes, crayons, you name it, Tiny wants to chew it. She opened her mouth. Nothing.

It was then that I noticed a snail shell neatly shoved over her thumb.

Let's backtrack. Earlier in the day I had asked the Doctor to remove a snail that I had spotted careening at a slow pace up an interior wall. I'd just thought he'd done it and moved on.

Apparently not. Tiny went for a taste test. So Frenchy, so fresh. So absolutely not chic. Poor Tiny. Slightly bubbly. Earthy. Slimey. Your everyday garden variety of snail. So not escargot.

image via

Blogtoberfest Day 5: And I Call Myself a Film Buff. Or a Movie Sloth.

Last night Matt and I had a 'date' in our own living room. We don't get out much.

We set up our own little cinema, kicked back with a glass of vino, and watched Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist.

I first 'met' Michael Sera when he starred in Juno. I think he's a lovable, cute little goofball. Who couldn't love him? With an ace soundtrack and a fun story, it's absolutely watchable. Apparently the book is good too. But I wouldn't know anything about that, would I? N&N's Infinite Playlist? ***. (That's three stars, not some random typo).

Blogtoberfest Day 4: Sleepy Sunday

Would you believe my feet are still roasted from Friday night? You better believe it. It's strictly ugg-ly (phrase c/- the Doctor) boots material around here at the mo'.

It's a long weekend here in Sydney so we've been going slow on the Sunday front. I've snuck in watching The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas while the smalls caught a few zzzz's. I must admit, I've not read the book, and I hate when I see a movie before I've read the book, I get the guilts, and this one in particular, I think I need to go back and read where it all begin. It's a great film, and well, it's got Rupert Friend.

It's a story told through the eyes of an eight year old boy living through the Holocaust, and it's a powerful story with an amazing cast.

I rate it **** in the PMM hall of films. (That's four stars, not to be confused with an expletive.)

Blogtoberfest Day 3: Because I Love You

Last night was the opening of Matt's exhibition. Let me give you some advice up front. Do not attempt to wear ridiculously high heels after an extended stiletto hiatus, while juggling a small ten kilo baby on your hip all night. Today I feel as though my spaghetti arms are more than al dente.

I did however have the most wonderful hair piece created by this artful genius. I also got my hair cut to accompany said hair piece. However I have no photos. Oops.

The exhibition, for anyone interested, was fabulous and Matt's works (without being completely biased) are beautiful.

And now on the anti-climax it's cold in Sydney. And raining.

I'm in the mood for a little baking. Nigella's 'birthday cake' to be precise. For my Mum! It was her birthday last week and we're going to celebrate. I love baking on cold, rainy, grey days.

Have you got sore feet? Sore arms? A sore head perhaps? Or maybe a bruised ego? Tell Aunty PottyMouthMama and she'll try and solve your problems.

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Blogtoberfest Day 2

I am totally pooped. The end. No one can trump it.

Blogtoberfest Day 1: Parallel Lions

It's day one of Blogtoberfest. Due to sleep deprivation and *boring* ongoing illness, I feel hungover myself, as though I've been out late at gigs. Clearly I've not. But I have stumbled upon something new. And I'm excited. Really, super dooper excited. Now I can just sit right up close to my computer and pretend I'm at the Hopetoun. Which coincidentally and sadly, is closing down.

As a quick aside, do you know how many ace bands & artists I have seen play there over the years? Too many! The place is an institute. It's been the launching pad for so many emerging artists, 'tis a shame, a shame I say.

Back to what I've stumbled upon. Ollie Browne (formerly Art of Fighting) has started up a new gig Parallel Lions. Together with Hamish Michael and Sam Bates, they form a new group with a stash of credentials.

Their single 'Separated' is a beautiful mix of acoustics, Browne's unforgettable and inimitable voice, alongside Bates delicate/decisive drumming and Michael on guitar (oh the guitar, beautiful). And the lyrics. I'm hooked. It's beautiful. It's addictive.

Their first album comes out October 23 via Bird Music/Shock.