The Silver LiningHandlettering with The Articulate
Posted on June 30, 2014
This weekend concluded the completely sold out hand lettering workshops run by Anastasia from The Articulate! The past three workshops have been the inaugural events for an initiative formed by Stacey Clark aptly named The Creatives. During these afternoons of fun, Anastasia shared with us what inspires her and a few tricks of the trade along with the technicalities of lettering to get us started. It was clear from the outset how passionate Anastasia is about her craft and we listened with ears pricked, hoping some of her talent and experience would rub off on ourselves. Attendees ranged from complete novices to a couple of quite accomplished letterers! (See the last photo to see what I mean! Like whaaaat…)
The workshops were held in the new kid on the Leederville Block, Bill’s Bar and Bites, which is so remarkably and ruthlessly stripped back that I could barely remember that the Leederville Hotel used to stand within the same walls. Bare brick walls and warm wooden surfaces played well besides Stacey’s ever impeccable styling.
Everyone came away with an educational and valuable experience, from meeting like-minded people with a love of creativity to getting rusty and unsure fingers a little more limber and confident at forming beautifully shaped letters. Anastasia’s workshops have wrapped up with The Creatives for now but you can still snap up tickets for her next class for The Skillsmithery on the Studio Bomba website. The price includes equipment, drinks and nibbles, and a damn good time. If you’re a lover of hand lettering, calligraphy, typography or you’d like to increase the productivity of your telephone-conversation-doodling, this is the class for you.
Feel like flexing a different set of creative muscles? Next on The Creatives’ calendar is a super cool class on crafting your very own hand-bound leather notebook with Alena Warm.
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Common Ground opening night
Posted on May 30, 2014
We were among the lucky ones who RSVPed quickly enough to Common Ground‘s opening night party. Previously located in the Many 6160 complex in Fremantle, Common Ground has now broken free of its confines and found itself a new home in the previous New Edition building on High St. And to celebrate they threw a party with 20% off all stock, live DJs AND a free lolly bag! What a bunch of legends. (I love Chico babies, who doesn’t?)
Common Ground is a collective of independent Western Australian streetwear brands and womenswear brands, as well as terrariums and art for your home. They even have a collection of highly sought after Mekel works, and we had the pleasure of bumping into the very talented Kelly (with her boo in pic number 5)! Common Ground showcase, support and springboard all the little brands in this fair city that are hoping to make it big. If you’re ever in Fremantle, I urge you to check out the store and see what the fuss is all about.
(Oh and what am I wearing? Darling, I thought you’d never ask…Gorman jumper, Saba leather skirt (similar), Christian Louboutin pumps, Freckle & Co earrings, Chanel handbag)
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Kinfolk 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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White Elephant beach cafe
Posted on March 17, 2014
It’s amazing how much you notice the weather change during the drive down south. We embarked from Perth on a 39 degree Celsius day and I’d packed four sundresses, a pair of shorts and a bikini. Thank goodness I threw in a cardie at the last minute! Searingly bright blue skies were replaced by muted grey clouds, and unforgiving rays of sun made way for a nippy breeze that surely raised goosebumps!
Breakfast at The White Elephant was tasty and unfussy. A lovely view of the waves constantly lapping against Gnarabup beach was the perfect accompaniment to my bacon and eggs on toast. The coffee too was just right. As their sign recommends, if you look out onto the ocean and look left you will notice a formation of rocks that resembles an elephant’s head side on with just a tiny stretch of the imagination!
Alas, the water was way too icy to take a dip. But fret not, we’ll definitely return to this spot on a future road trip.
White Elephant beach cafe / Gnarabup Rd, Gnarabup WA / Mon-Sat 7:30am – late / Sun 7:30am-10pm
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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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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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Shake it off
Posted on March 3, 2014
Wearing – Comptoir des Cotonniers dress (similar), Senso shoes, Pigeonhole hat
A trip to Margaret River was just what the doctor ordered. Pure sunshine on my face and a healthy breeze whipping through my hair. Sometimes we just need times of solace, to introspect, to heal and tend to our own hearts. This is a simple outfit, a few of my favourite things, fuss-free and comfortable.
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Yelverton Protea Farm
Posted on February 28, 2014
Wandering around this native flora wonderland, I dimwittedly asked, “So are you guys new?”.
Nope.
The Yelverton Protea Farm has been around, flourishing and providing your local florists with the most perfect and unique of blooms for over twenty years. The hordes of us who have made that road trip to Margaret River have unknowingly driven past this farm which is nestled between Busselton and Cowaramup on Bussell Highway. If you’re heading south and find yourself driving down roads populated by brightly painted cow statues, you’ve gone too far.
We couldn’t resist taking home a couple of King Protea and Red Carnival seedlings, in the hope that these gorgeous natives will someday yield beautiful flowers in my own backyard.
This charming venue is also available for weddings and events so do come and see for yourself!
Yelverton Protea Farm / Open 7 days a week / 7211 Bussell Hwy, North Jindong
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Down South
Posted on January 17, 2014
Heading “Down South” is a common turn of phrase in this part of the world. Invariably it means going on a road trip to one of the beautiful towns south of Perth, getting away from city life, relaxing on the beach and taking it easy. Late last year when Steve visited us from Scotland, I took the chance to show him how beautiful this part of the world is. We ate cheese, drank wine, sat on the beach, took photos, mountain biked and spotted some whales, kangaroos and possums. Poor Sarah couldn’t join as due to work commitments but happily we both have some leave and are scheduled to make a return visit very soon!
– Jinn
The Silver Lining 