by Amber on June 11, 2010
Te puedo pedir un favor? The nice ladies at Cleo Magazine have nominated me in the blogger section of the CLEO Wonder Women Campaign. The campaign celebrates talented Kiwis doing amazing things. Our 12 finalists will be featured in the August issue and the winner gets $5,000 towards her work – but we need your votes to find her! Other women getting kudos include musicians, actresses, athletes, change makers and creatives. It’s an impressive list.
If you like CFS, vote for me! Email cleo@acpmagazines.co.nz with a vote for Amber Parkin / Blogger. Put WONDER WOMEN in the subject line and include your name and contact details. As a reward for your effort, you can win some fab bath goodies (you’ve already got the boobie prize of my unwavering love).
What would I do if I won? Bring to life the idea of a book of travel essays/photography I have floating around in my head, enlisting all the brilliant people I know.
Here are the other nominees in the blog category, no surprises here that they’re all resplendent sites – run by amazing women – most of which I have mentioned on CFS before: Hungry and Frozen / Front Row Diary / Aych Blog / So Much To Tell You / The Girl With The Kaleidescope Eyes / Shahlin @ CDM / Rag-Pony ♥
In one month I am going to hop on a plane, watch a ton of bad films, eat some awful food and read some trashy magazines; have a brief jaunt in Korea, and then, 48 hours later, touch down at Heathrow. Thanks to Creative Cities and the British Council, I’m on my way to the London Festival of Architecture!
I’m pretty chuffed. London and I got acquainted briefly last year – but I am thrilled to have another chance to spend some quality time exploring the city, and a discipline (architecture) that really appeals to me. I will be blogging madly for Creative Cities and doing my usual travelogues on Code For Something.
You know what else appeals? A mini European summer…
Yay! I’ve never been to the Continent before. Not sure where I’m going, but there’s still 26 days to plan. So where’s good to hang out in (Western) Europe? As always, if you have any hot tips I’d love to hear them.
As of today, Code For Something has been in existence for two years. I don’t want to be sappy, cos this is the Internet, but without CFS I think my life would be quite different. I’ve met so many amazing people, travelled across the globe, written for publications I admire and enjoyed a million fresh moments of inspiration – all as a direct result of blogging. It’s also been nice to track my obsessions, style changes (hello tattoos), personal growth, yadda, yadda, yadda.
Here are some of my favourite posts:
In case anyone was to ever ask me, ‘Should I start a blog?’ the answer is YES. Go forth and have conversations. You never know who you’ll meet out there…
Thank you so very much for reading!
http://www.codeforsomething.com/2008/10/the-cfs-guide-to-looking-good-on-a-bike/The
by Amber on December 26, 2009
Here are the results of the Christmas Photo Project I undertook with Alex & Lisa. The basic premise = 1 disposable camera and two photos daily for the twelve days of Christmas, tralalala!
It’s harder than it looks to take 2 vaguely interesting photographs each day, plus there’s all sorts of foibles, like low light, forgotten cameras and drunken snap happy fingers to contend with. You’ll see that out of 24 clicks, 2 didn’t even turn out. Good times nonetheless!
Alex’s super photos are here (cute photos of the wife, puppy and ducks) and I’ll link to Lisa’s when she’s done. Here’s my efforts…
Day 1: Westmoreland St + a ginger cat
Day 2: Pohutukawa + a wish
Day 3: I got drunk with Michael + Nikhil
Day 4: Walking to work + a giant Santa
Day 5: Bougainvillea + Soap & Soak
Day 6: Franklin Road lights
Day 7: Sushi at Bonzai + beer at Neighbourhood
Day 8: Bedroom inspiration board
Day 9: Christmas tree
Day 10: Sun + some sunflowers
Day 11: Vineyard + 60 minutes
Day 12: Warkworth Masonic Hall + the end
by Amber on December 18, 2009
Hey Aucklanders! The crew at Cross Street are holding a MEGA garage sale next week on Tuesday December 22nd. There’ going to be some nice sounds, courtesy of: Dole Day Rage, Dr Octopuss, Swampy Tonk, Ivy Rossiter and Sam Hamilton.
Entertainment and fooding good times include a vegan BBQ, Dan’s Jerk Chicken Shack, the infamous Cross Street punch, Cleo from First Thursday’s jump rope play team, Mikey from Smoking Hot Bitch Fight’s rap workshop (do not miss this!) and a Cross Street ping pong tournament – MC’d by Damian from Stress Cadet. Phew! You can also bring a tshirt and get it screen printed with Tes.
But wait, there’s more! There’s the garage sale part with stalls and other fun treats in store for y’all. My darling friend Liss and I will be manning a stall of fine vintage goods, other treats – and of course will be facilitating some scintillating conversation with all the punters. Please come see us!
CROSS STREET STUDIOS 27 Cross Street | Tuesday 22 December, 4pm til late.
by Amber on September 14, 2009
COME TO OUR SHOW! If you’re in Auckland on September 20, pop along for an evening of scientific education and enthrallment. It’s going to be incredible and I would love to see you all there!
The Happening is MOTAT on crack – featuring collaborative works from 10 of Auckland’s best video, sound and installation artists.
The Happening was born in summer 2001 as part of a series of interactive multi-media events, coordinated by Scotland’s The Forest arts collective. Featuring artists from around the world The Happening encourages its participants to transform the purpose and appearance of each venue into an experience best described as “Ultra Fuck”.
8 years and 7 Happenings on, original members Krumins and Boyd have gathered sound and video artists, performers, sculptors and assemblers from across the city to take part in the Auckland Happening at Cassette Number Nine in September.
The event will involve artists working for and against each other with the sole aim of flipping Cassette over. They’re yanking the tape from its belly and reveling in the opportunity to fuck with the space in ways you’ve never dreamed of.
Auckland participants include: Genista Jurgens, Jonas Besson, Josca Craig Smith, Mikel Krumins Timothy Boyd, Amber Parkin, Melissa Jenkins, Damian Golfinopulous, Sophie Watson and Imogen Taylor.
Previous participants include: Stefan Pavlakis (Athens), Dan Meth (NYC), Aaron Mcloskey (Vancouver), Miroslav Mitrovic, (Bosnia i Herzegovina), The Arctic Circle (Bristol), Dirk Markham (Berlin) and Ryan Van Winkle (NYC).
September 20 is your chance to experience the delightfully interactive Science Museum of Nothing.
by Amber on August 18, 2009
Sadly it doesn’t look like disco fever, but maybe once my cold & flu pills kick in it will. Just wanted to tell you I’m taking the rest of the week off. Unheard of but sometimes one just has to snuggle into bed, watch TED videos (I like Alain de Botton), chew Vitamin C and accept that everything sucks. In the fine tradition of so many modern internet conversations, I’ll BRB.
by Amber on June 22, 2009
Shadows and lines. It’s now the winter and time for perfect, clear days which make me wish-wish-wish I had enough money to go skiing. Alas, all spare money is probably going into replacing my camera (and my fixie lens), as some dreadful creature of the night stole it while I was out at a bar.
In the meantime, Photographic Evidence is going on hiatus… unless it turns into Evidence of a Scribble-Pants, but I doubt it! Anyway, it’s a pity, but in the scheme of things, not so bad. I am going to focus on being happy for the small things; like cloudless skies, crispily energising mornings and finding a woollen scarf that doens’t itch!
by Amber on June 22, 2009
This is my last week at designworks. For something that started out as a stop gap, it’s rocked my life in a million ways I never could have imagined. I will miss working in the big beautiful studio, surrounded by some of the finest designers in the country. I’ll miss having raging arguments about where the city’s best ramen is served, why Muji is the ULTIMATE brand, the occasional kerning competition and all that karaoke.
A little bit of back story:
I has just finished my first year of university in Auckland, doing a degree in Film & Performing Arts. It was a challenging year of learning, surrounded by a group of amazing people from all walks of life. Unfortunately, I was 17 and my walk in life, thus far, had been to the mall and back. It was bizarre, I wasn’t old enough get into pubs, let alone reflect the full spectrum of life in scripts and performance. So I decided to take a break, get some life experience and see how I felt after a year.
I started a job at designworks as a studio assistant… meaning taking photos, sticking things together (hi, award boards) and making tea!
Yup, the cliche. I looked like this even down to the regrowth.
5 and a half years later… Thanks to some serious weaseling, I’m a full fledged brand geek, research whizz and the girl who whips your copy into either an alcoholic frenzy or a soothing bath time treat. Whatever you like, babycakes!
I’ve grown more than I could have imagined, travelled around the world with the proceeds and made some BFFs for life. Really, DW is my family and I love them very much. However, as with all families, the little ones grow up and must move on!
So what next? I’m not entirely certain, but it’s totally okay not to know. The best things in my life have come about because I’ve made room for them and now the time feels right to make a turn into uncharted territories. I’m keeping an open mind as to future directions, but in the meantime I will be doing some freelance writing/trend forecasting, personal scribbling and attempting some cake baking… without getting flour on my pyjamas. If you’ve got any ideas, let’s have a chat!
Anyway, thanks for sticking out this long, overly personal interlude – I really wanted to share this with you. Code For Something has rapidly become a big part of my life, so I’m excited to give it even more attention. Onwards and upwards!
Totally self indulgent style meditation ahead! I’m facing a similar quandary to Samantha over at Missbehave. That is – to fringe or not to fringe? Dilemma!
Right now it’s at that awkward stage; locks mincing past my eyebrows but not quite long enough to keep off my face without being pinned. Comparison (obvs. I will trim the hair curtain if bangs triumph):
I’ve been committed to the fringe for just over a year… ever since that spur of the moment cut at a bubblegum pink salon in Melbourne. Fringe pros include covering my prematurely aging forehead (I screw up my face a lot) and zits. Fringe cons – I find the face frame devours a lot more time when I’m getting ready.
What do you think? I really can’t decide! Or is it time to go with the undercut? Don’t worry, I’m kidding. Kind of.
by Amber on April 8, 2009
Two recent snippets, stuffed full of positive adjectives:
- First, I go about documenting my daily life in Auckland (putting things into my mouth, giving haircuts) and Jess photographed her volunteer work in beautiful Bolivia. All for the good cause of Supersweet Time Zones.You know who’s day was cooler already (the kind and generous soul obviously), but do check out our pictures!
- Secondly, Sarah of the ever inspiring Yes And Yes invited me to write a guest post while she’s on an epic tour of South America! Ole! Please go there now, read my musings on Everyday Acts of Fantastic, then delve into Sarah’s archives. She’s hilarious.
Supersweet ft. Fantastic! Making a big shared breakfast with friends is pretty damn awesome. Try it!
by Amber on April 6, 2009
A few photos, a few diary excerpts. I am a rabid journaller, and making notes while on the road delights me no end. I am all about moleskines and thin-nibbed inky black pens.
“After the delights and dramas of Hangzhou, we headed back to Shanghai. It’s been confirmed I am able to do anything I want in this world, nothing is impossible.”
“Midnight. We finish watching a DVD, and wander into the night to find some cheap hot chocolate and eat street food.”
“It was delicious, cooked over hot coals. You could even have a whole fish on a stick. I had mushrooms rubbed with a dark spice, chives and a skewer of morsels best described as vegetable pancakes.”
“We danced until 2am, watching the varied crowd – locals and odd Europeans (no Australians this time), before collecting our belongings and heading home in one of the waiting cabs lined up in their tens outside. I watched the city zoom past; feeling tired, drunk and everything smelling like cheap cigarettes. Ugh… it made me wretch, repeatedly. Some smoke is good; like the charcoal smokes of the street vendors, fragrant with oils, or the sweet tea-like smell of incense. But the smoke emitting from a 5RMB packet of fags? No thanks. 12 hours later, my jacket was beyond saving and had to be packed wrapped in a damp towel to try and save my other clothes. We’ll see if they survive.”
There are more photos in my China Flickr set if you’re keen to check them out! That’s it from the southern cities for now, I arrived in Beijing (bei = north, jing = capital) yesterday. Let the northern wanderings begin… after a nap!
by Amber on March 1, 2009
London, baby. My initial expectations of London were quite low, to be perfectly, almost disturbingly, frank with you. I had always seen it as a low grey metropolis, soot and grumpy people. However it revealed (well more accurately threw off its coat and flashed) itself as a paradise, a land of beautifully groomed moustaches, well dressed denizens and fun. I love it so much I wore a white t-shirt to take a silly snapshot, and you know I NEVER wear white.
Poetic, yes. Marvelous, yes. Diverse, certainly. Scary, never. ❤
Selected moments of glorious warm fuzzy feelings:
- Brick Lane, beer and delicious beigels from a Jewish bakery.
- Shoreditch – my expanded thoughts on the holy hipster land are over at Alt Albion.
- Oxford Street shopping, especially Uniqlo, Selfridges and ‘losing my shit’ (that’s my composure, folks) in Topshop.
- Seeing some world class art – including Banksy and Blu, who I have written about previously.
- Meeting with my friends Miles and Alice for a drink in a pub. Good times!
- The London Eye, a perfectly clear day and a private pod.
- Finally visiting the Tate Modern and seeing the giant domestic cat.
- Staying at the Bloomsbury Radisson, aka Bloomsbury Radsville. It’s a fabulous hotel, if only they didn’t keep asking if I was sure I was in the right place!
- Wasabi Sushi – nom, nom, nom. Excellent vegetarian options.
- London A-Zed – I conducted a wee project, taking photos of London signage to create an alphabet. Please note the punctuating crown. Majestic.
I miss you London but I’ll be back soon. Seriously, we only managed to say hi to each other. Can’t wait. And you, have you been to London? What’s your favourite city? Where do you feel alive, connected with the human condition, or just your real self? I’d love to know.
by Amber on February 28, 2009
From Glasgow we drove south of the border to Liverpool. Home of Beatle mania and hot Liverpudlians. Trust me – I never thought I’d say that but it’s true. There were many gorgeous boys and girls to behold.
While visiting, the team stayed at the Hard Days Night Hotel – a Beatles themed pad, from the cocktails to the background lobby music. Every room was graced with a portrait of the fab four. I lucked out however, viz:
- Hear my plaintive pleas of ‘why?’
The Tate Liverpool was a mystical experience. A William Blake exhibition was being held and it was phenomenal. Other people can articulate the magic better than I, so I will leave it, only saying that it’s so good perhaps a post art exhibition cigarette would have be appropriate.
After a nice day out in Liverpool (I was sad to leave so soon) we drove to Manchester. I was the navigator for this part of the journey and truth be told, it was one of the most stressful experiences of my life. A cigarette was more than appropriate and I pretty much dropped the map book and ran for the nearest bar.
I enjoyed Manchester, it had a really good vibe and felt like somewhere I could live. Become a romantically poor writer, work in a cafe and drink hot tea all day before playing with my band at night. There is more to it than bohemian dreams however, Manchester has an amazing shopping precinct. I loved this prizewinning display by Mulberry:
Here’s the three posts I wrote for Alt Albion regarding these fine cities:
+ The Liver Bird – a mythology lesson.
+ March of The Spoons – the obsession grows, the experiences become odder.
+ Vintage Manchester – the best places to find clothes and drink tea in the Northern Quarter. A cute girl from Retro Rehab helped me out with the hot tips!
