A pack of men laughed at my mother
On a bad parallel park and a small act of contempt that feels like an echo of an ugly, unkind world.
Vamp with Stephanie Wood
A modern mini-magazine from award-winning Australian journalist and author, Stephanie Wood, including reflections and recommendations on reading, culture, food, travel and design.
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Bubble, bubble ...
... toil and trouble*
Gathering dust
On too many recipes, a battered Elizabeth David, and the Crème à l’Orange that became a small act of analogue rebellion.
How do we feel about our faces?
When an app offered me a more polished, perfect face, I was surprised by how badly I wanted it.
Wanted: More men like Sam Neill
Why the outpouring of grief for the actor speaks to our longing for a rare kind of man.
Personal performance review
Assessment: on 20 key indicators I have failed this week to meet expected standards of self-optimisation.*
And so, finally, here is grief
People told me that it would be a spiral staircase. I built a box instead. This week, by accident, I opened the box.
Notes from the front row
For old time’s sake, I’m holding on to the Chanel lanyard.
Cordially yours, from Normandie
How do you live when you know you are dying? One Vamp reader offers a wise and unsentimental answer (although she’s not sure – should she buy the big bottle of shampoo?).
Vamp meet-up tonight, Tuesday!
Quick reminder: I’d love to see you in my third Vamp meet-up, tonight, Tuesday, at 7.15pm. With guest speaker Allison Bryant we’ll be talking about pelvic floors!