Classic 1960 Pontiac Catalina Restoration

So this is my car...my beautiful sky blue 2 door 1960 Pontiac Catalina. Isn't she a beaut?

I have had this dream machine for a couple of years and purchased it as is which is original with a newer but very tired interior. While I know a lot of car collectors and customisers I am more of a traditionalist and get very excited about original features and design elements.

I had been planning to restore the interior of my car and had accumulated quite a bit of information including this incredible promotional video.

The current upholstery can be seen in these images below on the front bench seat. I will also change the elements of the dashboard paint. The speaker system was tucked into the glove compartment and four speakers were sitting underneath the front seats - let's just say the heavy bass was quite the experience.

All of the springs and padding had completely eroded or broken which made you feel like you were sitting on the floor while driving.

I soon found that SMS Fabrics could supply my original door trims and replace almost the entire interior. They are great to deal with and if you have any trouble finding what you are after just send them an email they offer sample swatches and were very helpful. My car already had new navy carpets, roof, and boot linings, so I chose to keep those. SMS was a great company to deal with and I purchased a stunning woven fabric, two different shades of blue vinyl, three embossed panels for the seats, door handle pads, and the parcel shelf. Every item was made to order and delivery was staggered but well worth the wait.

Two tone heat embossed door panels 

All seals and finishes are being replaced and the mechanisms serviced.

I am so happy with the team that is working on this stay tuned as there will be a follow-up blog and video soon, so if you haven't already please subscribe to my youtube channel here.

Lisa Defazio THE Unofficial Ambassador of Everything

I have grown up in Melbourne Victoria where the cuisine is world renown and we have a great depth of culinary variety. Our city is vibrant and diverse, so even when I am familiar ground I am thoroughly spoilt. My comparison when I travel is...

'Is as good as I can get at home?' 

I love to cook, fine dining and occasionally fast food but of course it must be good. Often a meal can be one of the more memorable markers of traveling or life in general. I will never forget the Lobster Pasta I enjoyed at the Grossi Restaurant when it was in Eltham many many years ago - little did I know that the restauranteur would go on to be a hugely respected and famed chef. I had my unconventional 21st at Florentino's as it was known in the day. I think I managed to confuse my friends but the Spinach Gnocchi was divine.

Word of mouth is very powerful - I have taken some ordinary advice but upon reflection it was from a person far removed from me, we were after different things. The good meaning individual sent me off for a wonderful afternoon of shopping that turned out to be cheap knock offs and a less than desirable food court in Thailand. No harm done - what I can tell you is what I have found to be remarkable in the many places I have been. you can see my instagram profile lisadefazzio for examples of what delights or excites me.

Culture is a subjective experience, I do not long for the mundane. I want to know the people, see the back streets hear some back stories. Find the proverbial hidden gem and I seem to have a nose for it. There was a wonderful little cafe I found in Sapporo called Eamon's Chouchou that had charming smiley cutlery that was so full of character it is still in my head today. Then there is the local fare like that found at No 35, Attica, UAE, B'stilla Cantina to name a few.

Art, fashion, food, retro reflections, interviews and my fabulous friends. Subscribe to my youtube channel 

Lisa Defazio 'Have You Got a Minute?'

It is about to get very interesting!

Date Night at Vue De Monde Melbourne

Date nights are always great and I love an excuse to dress up so with my best plastic and cheap jewellery which I adore, my perfect 70's vintage bag, Chocolate and scarlet shoes and a nifty little number I picked up a while ago I headed out into the chilly Melbourne weather to destination unknown...I love a nice surprise. I always carry a compact and this is my fav' from Shiseido which gives a lovely matt finish and a freshly pressed handkerchief - be prepared.

What I was not prepared for was to dine at Shannon Bennett's Vue De Monde - the exclusive assess begins with a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory like entrance via lift from there it is all a little bit lovely. The restaurant has an incredible cellar with some very rare vintages. Expert Sommelier Anthony is a virtual wealth of information and enjoys sharing his passion, I love seeing people truly love their vocation. It was an unexpected delight to learn the heratige behind this 1969 bottle.

The view the restaurant offers perched above the Rialto is quite extraordinary and must be seen to be appreciated. 

Everything is part of the theatre and delight - be warned if eating offal and native animals offend you might need to let staff know. I only shied from one dish alone this image is the beginning of the degustation experience which was an enlightening culinary ride. The staff who attended us the very warm and attentive Natasha, Rachelle and Anthony made the experience inviting and made me want to revisit the restaurant before the evening was over. I have worked in service and this team gets it so right. One thing I also would urge you to do is try the Tasmanian Black finely ground Pepper it is full of flavour and naitve notes I adored this love love!

You can see the MENU here. I enjoyed the Champagne and the Rose'. 

You can book online and when you get there tell them Lisa sent you Cheers! http://www.vuedemonde.com.au/

Then you can always take a little peice back home with you.

I hear there is no need to make reservations for Live Jazz at the Lui Bar every Sunday

...is it Sunday yet?

Put Some Shizzle in Your Drizzle! Vintage Glassware

I do love collection of beautiful objects and price or origin has never been my motivator I don't think anyone could ever accuse me of being a snob and here is proof. This adorable set of glassware is a pretty adhoc and is not extraordinary in anyway but I love it being a reminder of a finer era.

 Check out the very short video and vote yes or no to the hair do - did!

I would love some more signature Jonathan Adler pieces like this little Lion to compliment some of my vintage items they blend in beautifully...and did you note I am looking out for fellow collectors? If you have a friend you might recommend please share the video with them.

MAKING VINTAGE FASHION FIT

I love shopping vintage as many of you know, there is the thrill of the find the treasure aspect of it that makes it so exciting. Recently I came across a diamond in the rough this tiger print full length dress. I instantly responded to the print and the richness of the colour so I purchased it along with a few other things from Take 2 markets which always offer up some goodness.

The amount of the garish print was overwhelmingly costume like although I think Florence Welsh might rock it, for my every day or night out I would have to work on this. 

The side seams were crooked and I suspect the previous owner had closed long side slits.

I had a vision it could look more like this, more current and wearable with staying true to some aspects of the original design.

Here is a sketch of the work required to take the basic sack like design to something that would suit my figure type.

I need fitted and a certain length or I quadruple in size, I am tall with square shoulders and can look large if I don't wear a fitted garment, so these are the steps I took to retro fit it.

I would recommend the following guidelines as I have learned the hard way...

• Try the garment on with the heel height you intend to wear it with especially when deciding on the hem length.

• Align the darts - measure measure measure. 

• Always cut hems 6cm longer than required - if you cut it too short it is all over and you won't wear it. If you do happen to cut it too short you can use a facing but this becomes arduous and is no fun - I like immediate results.

• Make alterations less than you think then keep taking in as required, if you are too aggressive with the alterations and unpicking is needed this is never ideal and can damage the garment.

• Keep trying on and refining as you go.

• Use good scissors invest in a large pair of tailors shears one smooth cut is brilliant and once you get use to the weight and size you can use the tips for fine cutting - you will thank me trust me.

• Check your iron setting before you give the garment a final press - start with a cool iron, gone are the days of heavy pressing and be warned some synthetics melt onto the iron and this destroys your unique find and your iron - very ruining.

• Keep offcuts.

Once you have tried the garment on a number of times and refined the fit and given it a final press you can head out in your unique find.

I love this dress and have made a video on my youtube channel about this project - hop over here give it a watch and subscribe! I think I will wear it with my tan boots and a fitted black jacket or cardigan for  work and some really clashy heels and accesories when I head out perhaps magenta or cobalt blue shoes. See you on the Retro side and thanks for reading!

The Phi Phi Islands - Day Six Diving

I love nature and after seeing it all around me I was ready to dive in literally - take me to the ocean the wide beautiful glistening waters and the lush islands I had been seeing. The film The Island with Leonardo Di Caprio impressed upon me all those years ago - take me there. If Leo was lucky and still there he might get to spot me in my bikini.

I had a clutch of pamphlets that I had read through and explored trip advisor but was still unsure of what tour might be best, so I headed to the tour desk at the Pullman Phuket and was advised me to take the  Siam Adventure World Tours Phi Phi Island tour. Transfers were included and the hotel packed a gourmet breakfast to go ready for the 6.20 am pick up. With an ample supply of sunscreen my wide brimmed hat I was off! The Royal Marina Phuket was a real surprise it is well disguised and is a complete contrast to the outer surrounds. Manicured and opulent grounds open onto the marina and a series of high end residential complexes and homes. The tour group was friendly and has us on board the speedboat before we knew it.

After a pretty uneventful hour in a speed boat it happened - it all happened. I will let the images speak for themselves.

This was our first stop and yes it was where The Beach was filmed I took the option of the short inland walk and discovered what was at the end of this steep ladder and this tiny hut shrine it resembled a dolls house in size.

The view was worth the short climb

A traditional long tail boat

Why do we lock ourselves up in offices and houses all day when there is so to much see? A family of sharks swam past me beautiful to see. Strange how safe these waters felt compared to Australian oceans where you can be gobbled up or stung by all manner of things on our chilly waters.

This was a great tour for many reasons the size of the group the uncrowded beaches - the respect for wildlife and the environment. The food... I will never forget eating fresh pineapple pieces in the lagoon, the Thai buffet with divine fish sauce we enjoyed on the beach, the heart shaped watermelon pieces to refresh the palate afterwards and all the while stopping off to dive and swim in the warmest ocean water I have ever experienced. The zero footprint, the fact that these guys collected rubbish and debris from the ocean floor whilst working. Nothing was disposable on this tour apart from the drink containers, the company used real cutlery and plates etc. I have long made it a habit of cleaning beaches that I visit it is not hard and I saw an amazing lizard while doing so resembling a miniature Alligator.

This young guy stole my heart - he was made for his job as underwater photographer and assistant to the crew. The entire team was great and I felt envy for their lifestyle and occupation. I can't wait to dive again. 

Day Four - Patong...

Another gorgeous day in Phuket and I am looking for the more typical experience and am off to Patong. Busy busy Patong very tourist driven, lots of bars, shopping, entertainment and real estate for sale in tiny shop fronts that were more like cubicles, while it was great to see seeing Bangla Rd once was enough it was pretty hectic. I found it to be like Rye carnival on steroids.

There are lots of bars and entertainment I can see how this might appeal to a younger market. Groups of friends hitting the town out to have fun. The Aussie themed bars were something I chose to avoid. So yes I did the fishy feet thing and I loved it, while others squealed I blissed out. But as for riding elephants and watching animal acts I chose not to. If I were traveling with children I recommend a day visit and leave the after hours for the over eighteens. A quick visit then off to Juncelon for families I would say.

The large shopping complex called Jungcelon is in the heart of Patong that has numerous restaurants and offers both traditional and western options, of note was the Ramen Burger and the Almond Choco balls which I would imagine to be a lot like Nutella Nuggets. Nom nom!

Speaking of taste I did discover a new fashion store I fell in love with JASPAL tiny sizes though I just squeezed into the large. Lovely lovely accessories and well planned options and colours,very elegant great price point and as I found after returning to Australia a Thai company. I picked up some wonderful shorts but will have to wait a whole season for summer to roll around before I can wear them would have loved to have snagged this range and the quirky applique dress it's just perfect.   

      

So in a land of diversity I decided to head back to The Pullman Phuket for dinner where I indulged in a two course a la cart dinner. From food court to fine dining whats not to love? So back to the room for a quick shower and change then a cocktail before dining.

Tropical pack hacks working well... 

I packed light - new blog on whether my planning worked or not coming soon. This is the view from the C-bar - I recommend The Pullman Signature containing fresh mint apple and has a sweet and sour zing! Gorgeous and alcohol free very refreshing and hydrating after a long hot day. 

I chose an a la carte two course dinner at Elements restaurant.

'All Day Dining will showcase fusion delicacies and the fine traditions of Thai and Western cuisine.'

Can I just say everything did taste as good as it looks. The appetiser was a standout for me Chicken Beef and Prawn cooked three ways, don't get me wrong the Fish in Mango sauce was incredible as was the Curry Chicken. I live in Melbourne the unchallenged food capital of Australia and as such I eat well every day - this place does not fail. The Food Court was fun but...

Day Three Phuket Paradise

Morning coffee here at one of the infinity pool seating areas and a nap in the cabana chair before choosing how to spend the day. Nai Thon Beach which is literally minutes so I finally decided to wrench myself away from the resort to see the actual beach and what a sweet sight it was. This is a snap shot from here you can see the resort on the hill.

These nifty little doorless cars make a lot of sense in this place!

It is quite warm here and the Pullman Phuket offers free shuttles to Nai Thon beach which is a little back water dotted with massage and food offerings, diving from a traditional long tail and lovely white sand and pale turquoise ocean. Seconds later I was stepping into the warmest ocean water I have every experienced swimming was divine and grabbed a meal from one of the local street traders.

These women are using a mortar and pestle more herbs and nuanced flavour than a lot of restaurants - just wonderful. Lovely accommodating people too ensuring we had the right drinks despite the language barrier. This food was purchased opposite the green money exchange store front on the beach where the shuttle car dropped me off - it was a lovely way to wait for the car to collect me.

Back to the Resort shower and refresh with some snacks and a Rose before dinner.

Then off to Vero the Italian Restaurant on the upper level for the first time.

Very cool romantic place with illuminated menus. The food was divine I has scallops with truffle oil and then buffalo mozzarella cheese, tomato and basil stack. My partner had the Gnocchi with mushrooms which was a whole other taste journey.

Gorgeous food and atmosphere polished off with a glass of Lemonchello and that was how my day drew to an end just sublime.