The Silver LiningMelbourne Travel Diary
Posted on January 10, 2014
We had less than two tiny days to squeeze in as much Melbourne as possible before my friend’s wedding, and by golly I think we did it! Arriving in the wee hours of Friday, we nabbed some shut eye before heading out into the CBD and chowing down a hearty breakfast at Cumulus Inc, an uber trendy coffee spot which felt very Gordon St Garage-esque. A visit to Melbourne is incomplete without wandering through Hosier Lane to ogle at the psychedelic street art.
A spot of shopping (50% off at Gorman – uh, yeah!?) was followed by a completely unnecessary but completely delicious lunch at noodle and dumpling house, Hutong. This gave us enough energy to power walk into Fitzroy where many unique and carefully curated shops awaited. Highlights were Little Salon and Third Drawer Down. For dinner, we waited in the fortunately very rapidly moving queue at Mamasita, wolfed down some delectable street style corn and pulled pork tostaditas, then tumbled on back to the hotel, falling deep asleep as soon as our heads hit our pillows.
Thanks for the good times, Melbs!
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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
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Hello London!
Posted on May 8, 2013
Wearing – Madewell jumper, Urban Outfitters jeans (similar), Happy Socks, Madewell boots
Barely had I recovered from the fun whirlwind of cake and conversations that was my birthday party, then we were packing our bags (in a very frantic manner) and flying off to London for the first leg our holiday. It was the perfect way to celebrate entering a “new age of maturity” (haw haw haw, I just lol-led at that, meh!) and also to attend a very good friend’s wedding in France! Double yay!
Jinn booked us in (as a surprise!) to stay at the gorgeous Langham Hotel, which is just around the corner from the string of shops along Oxford St. Great views over London, fluffy feather pillows, and countless shops just a wee hop-step-jump away – ooh yeah!
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Black + tan
Posted on April 3, 2013
Wearing – Cameo t-shirt, Neuw jeans (similar), ASOS belt, Country Road wedges, Karen Walker Eyewear sunglasses (in tortoise shell), vintage handbag (try this one)
I managed to duck down to Perth for a not-so-quiet weekend over Easter. I welcomed the slightly cooler and much less humid weather, and was so happy that all my neglected pairs of skinny jeans got to come out, come out to play! A different colour for each day!
My mission on Saturday was to procure myself a suitable birthday outfit, and so I hotfooted it down to the Black Beret boutique in Mount Lawley. They carry such an amazing selection of clothing from the hottest Australian designers – it was all I could do to stay focussed! Well, I admit, not only did I successfully pick out a stunning dress for my birthday (can’t wait!) but I did walk away with a little extra something-something-you-know-to-wear-to-that-wedding-in-December-yeah-that’s-right.
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Roll over Ruck Rover…(+ Little Willy’s)
Posted on November 21, 2012
Perth City has undergone somewhat of an overhaul over the past two years, and in no place is it more evident than William Street, Northbridge. It once used to be a road lined with strip joints and bad restaurants, and I would certainly never have wandered down it alone after 8pm or so (and even if accompanied, at a very brisk pace!). Now the gorgeous old buildings have been restored to reveal their gorgeous late 1800s faces and are attracting more and more lovely new occupants! Tiny shops filled with racks of pretty vintage clothing, hole-in-the-wall coffee bars, and hip new restaurants are now filling up the spaces.
A more than welcome newcomer, Ruck Rover, has moved from its old home in Mount Lawley to join the now trendy crowd along this street. They stock a cute collection of clothing for guys, girls and children, as well as a wide range of gifts that would have nearly everyone on your Christmas list covered. Funky and brightly coloured beaded necklaces for your sister or BFF (I caved and bought one for myself!), polaroid cameras and film for any hipster in your life, sweet diaries that would impress any obsessive compulsive mum, and even homewares for the newly moved out.
I personally left with the aforementioned necklace, some earrings, a bunch of gorgeous greeting cards and the 50th issue of Frankie (yay for Frankie!). The place is dangerous I tells ya. Wandering further north up William Street we somehow also managed to acquire a new print from Outre Gallery by Matte Stephens, and an old Nina Simone record (an original pressing!) from Noise Pollution.
We may have travelled onwards but I hadn’t worn sensible shoes (now there’s a money-saving tactic!) so we stopped by Little Willy’s to enjoy their fine coffee and homemade pink lemonade. Now there’s a perfect ending to a perfect afternoon.
***What I’m wearing – ivory scallop lace top by Madewell, fuchsia petal skirt by Leifsdottir, black and tan wedges by Country Road (similar here and here), earrings by Kate Spade (similar), lip tint by Tarte in Spirited
***What he’s wearing – chambray shirt with dog embroidery by Pigeonhole (they don’t have the dog one anymore but they do have the duck one – here!
The Silver Lining 
