Tracey Grimson

Rimbaud
Pronounced like Sylvester Stallone's famous character (sorta), this French poet had a life that was heaps meatier than any boxer's, as I'm discovering via a biography of his life by Graham Robb. It's poetry and I'm lovin' it. (For more excellent poetry including audio, like Ginsberg reading Howl, I also love www.poets.org)

Rosé
Rimbaud wrote a famous poem called The Drunken Boat. Ironically, I've been a drunken *goat* a fair few times recently (it rhymes, see) thanks to my current favourite tipple, chilled pink wine (aka rosé). It's like a white wine made with red grapes - so I'm told - and it's deeply unfashionable. I care not.

Bodega
Yes, friends, I'll shut up about this joint on Commonwealth St in Surry Hills eventually, but only when it stops being so damn good. Where else are the wait staff so cute ... or cool ... or cute AND cool? And where else do you get a soundtrack of classic Cure whilst inhaling your South American-styled tapas (bell peppers stuffed with blue swimmer crab, tomato and labna salad, spiced calamari, the best olives in town). If you can't find me on a Friday afternoon, check at the bar. I'll be drinkin' rosé.

Running
Post-Bodega booze and food fest, young(ish) ladies must attend to their daily constitutional. It's a yin/yang thing you see. Lucky for me I've somehow decided recently that I enjoy running. Or make that jogging. It's efficient, it gets you out in the perfect Sydney winter sunshine... and by the time you read this I'll probably be well and truly over it.

F--k and Run by Liz Phair
Liz Phair's classic indie rock album Exile In Guyville just got reissued, and I can't stop playing the "hit", F--k And Run. Hadn't listened to it for about ten years until recently. Thankfully, it's still good. Which is more than can be said for Liz Phair.

I remember first coming across Tracey Grimson's name when I mooched off the music magazines in the local library in the '90s. You probably have seen her byline on pages aplenty too. She was also general manager and presenter extraordinaire at FBI radio. A self-described "grudging yoga enthusiast", she runs a semi-updated food blog Soup Me So and is keen to hear from anyone up for an Addams Family pinball challenge (she's looking to relive her "misspent youth").

Carlie Oates

Cheese and wine
The three of us (cheese, wine and I) by far have the best relationship I’ve ever had with anyone or anything, it’s a simple understanding we share. All we need to make each other happy is a wood block, a cheese knife and a bottle opener. I’ve always thought of cheese as romantic, so add a splash (or bottle) of wine as it’s an experience to be had.

Net-a-Porter
I love a little shop here and there, and I don’t think there is any place better than Net-a-Porter. I feel I should explain more, but I’d rather you gain the experience yourself. Enjoy and god bless your credit card.

Angus and Julia Stone
There’s a little something special about this music duo, they are clever, talented and damn fine to listen to. I first bought their EP a few years back and feel in love immediately. Their soothing sounds and cryptic lyrics are original and thought provoking. I recently went to their concert at the Enmore Theatre and it was by far the most rewarding experience.

Buddhism
I can’t call myself a Buddhist, but after travelling to many countries where Buddhism is their love/culture/religion I have always felt at peace, a sense of calm when there. I recently travelled to the Buddhist temple in Wollongong, the four hours I spent with my boyfriend exploring and learning their way of life transported my soul to a place that's hard to forget.

Jeffrey Deaver
If you have ever read a book by Jeffrey Deaver you would completely understand where im heading here. I am by no means a words person; I’d never consider retiring and writing a novel – or maybe I would if there was any chance I could write like Jeffrey Deaver. His plot lines and descriptive paragraphs has seen me with tooth picks holding my eyes open at 3am begging to know what the next chapter holds.


Carlie Oates is a stylist whose fine work can be seen in the pages of Sunday and Emporium magazines. She has an impressive lunch-making repertoire and once commando-rolled out of a speeding taxi.