The Silver LiningKinfolk Gathering – L’Esprit De La Mer
Posted on May 19, 2014
Put plain and simply, Saturday night’s Kinfolk gathering was holistically perfect. Not a single piece was out of place, all expertly and lovingly orchestrated by the inimitably talented Stacey Clark. Hosted in Kidogo Arthouse in Fremantle, the food and wine and conversation flowed freely and effortlessly. What an amazing night – a room full of inspiringly creative people, all so happy to be together, many for the first time. The joy and optimism was tangible.
This is a sign of great and wonderful things to come in Perth and wider Australia.
A massive high five to all who contributed. What an extraordinary bunch of people you are.
To Stacey. You encourage us with your talent and tenacity and make us all want to push our creative boundaries.
Eagle Bay Brewing Co and Vineyard
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Meet Claire – Ruck Rover General Store
Posted on April 7, 2014
Ruck Rover General Store has always been one of my places to go to find that perfect vintage-inspired sundress, or a unique present for your friend’s new bub (a bib with a Peter Pan collar – so hot right now!), or a great dude-gift amongst their ever-changing supply of funky t-shirts and socks. They moved from their premises in Mount Lawley two years ago and things just keep getting bigger and better! Now so perfectly situated on the corner of William and Francis Streets in Northbridge, it’s neighbours with a few of our favourites such as Outre Gallery and Little Willys.
We had the chance to be a little bit nosy and chat to Claire, the brain and big friendly smile behind Ruck Rover.
Hey hey hey! Thanks for having us! I’ve been a big fan of you guys ever since your Mount Lawley days! I’d love to start off by listening to your “where-it-all-began” story…
Ruck Rover is the brainchild of mine and my sister, Isabelle. I’d describe our decision to start up the store as a part brave and part self-indulgent! I was in my mid-20s when we decided we’d seize the day and follow our hearts. We managed to make what started off as, “Wouldn’t it be cool if…” conversations into something real. Goodness me, our little shop is now seven and a half years old!
It’s good fun running Ruck Rover with Isabelle. She’s got a couple of kids now so she’s not in the shop as much anymore but she’s still so important in all the decision-making and choosing stock for the store. You can often find her here on a Saturday, though. We mostly have very similar taste and vision, which works well when we need to bounce ideas off somebody else.
What are your favourite things in store at the moment?
We always aim to stock items from small, independent designers from around Australia and abroad too. At the moment, I can’t resist our dresses from Totem and Emily & Fin. We also have a huge place in our hearts for our pretty beaded necklaces by I Wish I Had A Little Shop. (See Sarah wear hers here!) These always sell out quick when we get them in store.
For the guys, we always have a massive selection of exclusive t-shirts and we’re looking to collaborate with more local artists in the near future for new designs! We still have a few left of this amazing t-shirt by Creepy aka the incredibly talented Kyle Hughes-Odgers
What do you do with yourself when you’re not running the store? Do you have other hidden superpowers?
In the early years of running the store, I also completed a double degree in Law and English at UWA. (Multitalented much? Sarah turns green…)
As you may know, I also run We Love Perth, an independent website that uncovers and highlights the best-ofs of our lovely city, Perth. It’s completely not for profit, heaps of work, but so so rewarding.
I also do a bit of freelance writing on the side for in-flight magazines. That’s always a real buzz.
We had heaps of fun chatting to Claire, learning about Ruck Rover’s beginnings and how little dreams can become roaring successes. Afterwards, I had a bit of spare time to nip around the store to ogle the range of vintage-inspired dresses and pick up some Lazy Oafs birthday cards (the kind that say, “Even though you’re old I still care”). Be sure to visit Ruck Rover! Make a special trip to Northbridge or walk on by after buying your special roast pork from Good Fortune Duck (I know I do!).
Thanks, Claire, for having us!
Ruck Rover General Store / 242 William St (corner Francis St), Northbridge / Open 7 days a week / Online shop / Facebook
***There’s an exclusive online discount code for our readers! Hop over to Ruck Rover’s online store and shop your little hearts out! Enter code “SILVERLINING” at the checkout for a sweet 20% off through 30th April 2014.
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A gorgeous {giveaway} with Mr Sparrow! – now closed
Posted on March 14, 2014
Fancy yourself casually strolling around on market day with this sweet tote under your arm? You could have the chance to win this sweet giveaway from Mr Sparrow!
Jelena from Mr Sparrow never fails to stock her beautiful shop with the most unique and crave-worthy items. That little something to jooj up your outfit or prettify your tabletop.
To enter, simply like The Silver Lining and Mr Sparrow Facebook pages and leave a comment below. If you’re an existing liker, high fives to you! Yes, you will still be included in the draw! Entries must be posted by Friday 21st March at 8:00am AWST and a winner will be chosen at random*.
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Meet Jelena – Mr Sparrow
Posted on March 12, 2014
A few weeks ago we went and paid a visit to Jelena, the owner and keen-eyed curator of Mr Sparrow. Mr Sparrow is conveniently located in Subiaco and is one of my absolute go-to stores for many, many reasons. It simply, practically and beautifully always has the answer to my present-buying woes! Overflowing with irresistible gift ideas for the home and garden, I never leave this place empty-handed. *danger danger!* It was so great to meet Jelena after a long and unrequited Instagram love affair…
Hello hello! Yes, I’m completely obsessed by your shop and stalk you on almost every form of social media known to mankind. *awkward smile* What’s the story behind Mr Sparrow?
I’ve always wanted to own a shop of my own, filled with beautiful things that I love. I was looking for a way to do something creatively inclined whilst doing my GP training in 2012, when the opportunity to own Mr Sparrow came up! The previous owner of Mr Sparrow was looking to move over east, and I leapt at the chance to do something different, and fulfil my dreams of wanting to own my own shop! Plus it was a bonus that I already owned half of the pieces in the shop myself, being a long time supporter of Mr Sparrow when it was under Anna’s ownership. It was really daunting at first and many thoughts of uncertainty went through my mind like, “We’re new, will people like us?”, “Will anyone come to our shop?”. But I bit the bullet at the end of 2012 and have had a lot of fun growing this store since!
We renovated the store in October 2013 which breathed new life into this little place. It’s been a blast!
Where do you source your collection of goods from?
I source things from all over the world – places include Japan, Finland, the United States and, of course, Australia! I keep my eye out for unique pieces that no one else in Perth stocks, and am particularly excited by the chance to collaborate with creatives to come up with exclusive Mr-Sparrow-only products! For example, my Bridget Bodenham x Mr Sparrow ceramic planters – I just love them!
And what inspires you?
I’m generally inspired by my travels, near and far, always looking out for beautiful products along the way. I’m also a big fan of Instagram! One of the biggest challenges in owning a store is continually finding fresh, new things and in the right balance.
So you own a shop AND you’re training in General Practice. How do you balance both sides of your work life? I’m envious!
It isn’t always easy balancing the medical side with the business/creative one, however I’m loving the balance of these two at the moment. I’m currently taking a break from General Practice training to focus on the business – and to be honest, I’m loving the day to day of running the business. I’m also keeping myself busy studying a Masters of Public Health, and doing some other work as well. (Sarah almost falls over at this point – she barely remembers to brush her teeth before rushing out the door to work each day!). But Mr Sparrow most definitely still has a firm and very special place in my life! Life as a doctor very easily becomes all-encompassing so it’s super important to me to maintain a balance.
We talked on for more than an hour, mostly about life and how to do it best. It was a fantastic chance for myself and Jinn to meet a fellow medic who had successfully burst out of the “doctor stereotype”, and fulfilled and expressed her other more creative side, something I personally find very difficult to do at times. Jelena is a great encouragement and role model to us both, with her big heart, clear vision, lateral thinking and, of course, superb taste.
Make sure you pop by to see Jelena or visit her online store! Be sure to check out my favourites – Bridget Bodenham ceramics, Emily Green necklaces, Kip & Co bedding, and jewellery by the WA Fashion award winner, Alister Yiap.
Mr Sparrow / Shop 3, 223 Bagot Rd, Subiaco / Online store / Facebook / info@mrsparrow.com.au
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Boranup Forest
Posted on March 10, 2014
Located just south of Margaret River township, take a detour off Caves Road onto Boranup Drive to find yourself amongst these mighty karri trees. It is the perfect place to breathe in the fresh, crisp, eucalypt-scented air unique to our gorgeous and blessed country. Interestingly, rather than being peacefully quiet the place is bustling with the sounds and calls of birds and insects accompanied by the constant swishing of slender branches high up above.
If you’ve been lucky enough to take a trip even further south to Pemberton or Walpole to experience the gigantic and awe-inspiring karri forests down that way you may wonder why this community of trees is almost dwarfed in comparison! Boranup Forest was completely logged around 100 years ago and these trees are the regrowth! Another fact that makes this lively reserve unique is its proximity to the coast. This is the farthest west that karri trees grow and hence our closest location to admire and soak in this atmosphere.
Lucky us 🙂
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Illuminites
Posted on December 16, 2013
We decided to make the trek back into Northbridge on Friday night for that amazing Christmas gift shopping bonanza that is Illuminites! This year, there was a gigantic manmade beach in the Perth Cultural Centre, complete with deckchairs and places for kids to play, as well as a giant inflatable snow dome and a frozen ice slide inside a truck! Talk about climate confusion!
There were heaps of different stores, hand-made crafty items, arty pieces as well as the usual amazing vintage shops. We were able to meet the amazing Kelly aka Mekel from Mekel Illustration, and purchase an original artwork from her store! We also said hi to Ann from the Whiteman Park Print Shop and took a squiz at their letterpressed goods. Other most honourable mentions must go to Rachel from Freckle & Co and Eemay of Glass Gardens terrarium fame. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a good photo of their exceedingly popular stall mostly because they were overwhelmed by customers most of the time! It was a busy busy night filled with lots of people happily ticking off their Christmas lists. We almost swooned in the heat of the afternoon sun and at the dizzying heights of retail mecca but were rescued once again by the always refreshing La Paleta icypoles!
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Light Up Leederville!
Posted on December 3, 2013
Over the weekend Sarah and I turned on our community spirit and went to the Light Up Leederville Carnival. We visited last year and this year we went with great expectations. Happily, they were met!
This year around 45,000 people flocked to join in the festivities, almost double last year’s attendance. Despite the swell in numbers there was only a slight increase in the crowdedness, a great testament to the fantastic genius of the organising committee. There were activities for all, from children’s rides and activities to handicraft and vintage stores, as well as a pop-up Little Creatures bar. To add to the mix, our usual favourite Leederville shops were open too!
The highlight as always was the big red party bus – the heart of the carnival, a hub of awesome pumpin’ music and live performances. The night was crowned by the lighting of the Christmas lights on Oxford St and lots of confetti and dancing in the street!
Well done to Leederville Connect for organising such a great event. You guys rock!
text and photos by Jinn
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Ootong and Lincoln
Posted on November 12, 2013
Having a friend visiting from overseas forces you to pull out all the stops and show them the really best places in Perth. Ootong and Lincoln fits the bill in my opinion. Quite simply, my favourite cafe in Fremantle. Located slightly off the main cafe strip, it is nonetheless always bustling at any time of day, serving amazing food, great drinks, and even carbonated tap water (if you know which button to press!). Absolutely everything is made on site from the freshest of local organic ingredients with the yummiest of results.
Ootong and Lincoln / 258 South Tce, South Fremantle / 7 days a week, 6:30am to 5pm
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Twilight Hawkers Market
Posted on October 25, 2013
The Twilight Hawkers Markets are back, heralding the start of warm-weather good times in Perth. Every Friday night, a multitude of different food stalls harking from many international cuisines descends on Forrest Place in the city ready to feed the masses.
It’s a great option if you’re looking for something different to eat before a night out in Northbridge, or even whilst you browse shops in Perth city. We sampled the South American pupusas, corn tortillas with a light fluffy texture, stuffed with cheese, refried beans and pork (yummo!) and I could not walk past the Vietnamese stall without ordering a banh mi, a crusty bread roll filled with pork belly, fresh coriander, slices of cucumber and carrot, and some crazy magic sauce that makes you feel like you could eat a hundred more banh mis! A lime coconut icy pole from La Paleta ended the night’s grazing most perfectly!
I’m making a beeline for that bratwurst next time! (Hmm, that came out sounding weird…) But, for serious, I’m definitely going to be back! If you go, will you save a spot in that eternally long Argentinian Barbecue line for me?
Twilight Hawkers Markets / Forrest Place, Perth City / Every Friday from 5pm to 9pm until end of April 2014
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MYRE {not a typo!}
Posted on October 23, 2013
Wandering into the recently opened MYRE building, I was instantly hit by a wave of nostalgia. Rummaging through sales troughs for bedsheets and saying “I’m bored!” about 20 times a minute. My Mum would wander blissfully through the rows upon rows of Royal Doulton china and miniature figurines made in the likenesses of young girls in flowing gowns and flower crowns, usually stroking the heads of ducks or small puppies. We’ve all been there.
MYRE is a fresh new concept store based in the recently closed Fremantle MYER store. The old lino and carpets are the same but the new inhabitants have completely transformed and revitalised this space. Housed within are exclusively locally grown talents offering a wide variety of wares, from clothing to chocolates to furniture.
As you enter, you are greeted by gorgeous blooms and bouquets of florist, Matthew Landers. A gentle left takes you to artisan chocolatier and all-round lovely lady Sue Lewis (read more about her here). This is a perfect moment to pick up a freshly brewed cold-pour coffee served over ice. Choose from coffee beans ethically sourced from Ethiopia or Columbia (my favourite was the Ethiopian blend, sweet and mild, whilst Jinn favoured the much stronger-bodied Columbian blend). You must of course buy some of the exquisitely handmade chocolates, made from the finest and freshest organic ingredients, with some often unexpected flavour combinations, such as strawberry with jasmine, Manjimup truffle, or even Vegemite! Buy some for now and some for later.
Meander around the store and take in the likes of Jarrad Seng’s photography that capture Iceland’s beautiful volcanic rivers from above. You can also find yourself some mighty fine threads, new or vintage, from places like Common Ground, Kate and Abel (who also run the in-house cafe), and Amicus Collective.
I can’t wait for the whole complex to be reopened. There’s promise of a floor dedicated to production and even a rooftop bar! Stay posted…But in the meanwhile come show some local-small-business love at this awesome new space!
The MYRE Project / Kings Square, Fremantle / Wed – Fri 10am to 6pm, Sat 10am to 5pm, Sun 10am to 4pm
The Silver Lining 