The Silver LiningIlluminites
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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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
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Piccolo’s Corner
Posted on October 4, 2013
The other day, I finished my morning shift at work a little bit early and decided to meet Jinn at our new favourite local cafe, Piccolo’s Corner. This cosy little gem is located in the leafy suburb of West Leederville, just a stone throw’s away from our place.
Enjoy a cooked brekky with a beverage of your choice (so far I’ve had their coffee and chai latte – both are ace) inside their quirky interior or sunny garden, both characterised by a mixture of vintage bric-a-brac and cutting edge street art. Get there early on the weekend or be prepared to wait in line!
Piccolo’s Corner / 58 St Leonards St, West Leederville / Tuesday – Friday 7:00am to 4:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 8:00am to 2:00pm
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Up, up & away
Posted on October 2, 2013
The winds have welcomed you with softness.
The sun has blessed you with his warm hands.
You have flown so high and so well,
That God has joined you in your laughter
And set you back again into the loving arms
Of Mother Earth.
– The Balloonist’s Prayer, Anon.
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Spring blooms
Posted on September 24, 2013
Spring is here! You wouldn’t have thought it, given the uncharacteristically dreary and rainy weather in Perth recently (highest September rainfall for more than 90 years apparently!). Last weekend Jinn and I took advantage of a sunny break in the wet weather to make our way to Kings Park and enjoy the wildflowers currently in bloom for the annual Kings Park Festival. It was still rather chilly though, hence the cardie and tights! What an amazing assortment of flowers there were to see – I didn’t know native flowers could look so pretty, I’ve been inspired to plant some in our own wee garden! It was great to be able to get out of the house and soak in some of that warm sun. The Kings Park festival runs until 30th of September – find yourself a patch of sunlight amongst the rain and get there! You’ll be handsomely rewarded. 🙂
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Toastface Grillah {Oh Hai Perth!}
Posted on August 12, 2013
Wearing – Sessun jumper (different colourway here), Gorman jeans (on sale here!), Donelli shoes, vintage tooled leather handbag from Bluebird Vintage
For my return back to mothership Perth, Jinn had planned an elaborate morning that was to include eating at some of the latest cool-kid hangouts, the kind that serve up dishes featuring super trendy ingredients like quinoa, kale and chia seeds. It wasn’t to be, as all I’d been craving during my six months in Broome was a huge whopping big bowl of steaming beef and beef ball pho from our regular Vietnamese joint! Craving satisfied, we wandered through our beloved city, looking at the things that had changed (oh hai new Pigeonhole store!) and the things that hadn’t, simply happy being home…
Not to be completely thwarted, Jinn managed to drag me to his next favourite hipster haunt, the awesomely named Toastface Grillah, after famed Wu-Tang Clan rapper Ghostface Killah. Not only were we treated to a scrummy Apple & Gouda toastie and a pretty decent flat white, but we had also accidentally stumbled upon a live poetry and music open mic afternoon hosted in the tiny courtyard. It was a completely new experience for me! We enjoyed the mostly contemporary poetry recital (I don’t remember T. S. Eliot or Blake ever using so many expletives!) whilst I gnawed away at my sweet and crispy package of ham, apple and grilled onions, relishing the gooey stretchiness of the toasted cheese that held it all together.
It made a perfect Perth arvo that bit more interesting – I even had a small heart attack when the MC of the recital turned to the two of us and asked if we had anything contribute! Thankfully we weren’t pressed any further after politely declining, but I was so intrigued by the little gathering that I think I may return another time, perhaps with something in my repertoire to add to this interesting bunch of folk.
Come take a wander down Grand Lane and find this hole-in-the-wall eatery that does “simple” food amazingly well. If you’re up for something a little different, go on a Saturday afternoon to listen in on or even take part in this very welcoming group of poetry lovers.
P.S. What’s your Wu-Tang name? Mine’s Mad Dreamer, not bad ‘ey? Find out your alter ego here.
Toastface Grillah / Grand Lane, Perth / Monday to Friday 7am – 4pm / Saturday 9am – 4pm
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Emma Gorge
Posted on July 19, 2013
The mini hike into Emma Gorge was as fun as it was rewarding! After our morning seeping in the luscious waters of Zebedee Springs (read about it here) we decided it was time to limber up and get active. Yes, there is a “path” of sorts and the way is marked, but this walk is not exactly your typical Sunday stroll. Imagine clambering over slippery rocks and tip-toeing across creeks, all the while trying to remember to look up ever so often to enjoy the greenery and incredible rock faces that surround you. The gorge ends with an icy (and I mean icy) natural pool where you can have a well-earned swim and wash away the sweat and red dust. I must admit, it was so so very cold and I didn’t last long. But I contented myself to laze on the nearby rocks that had been warmed by the sun, listening to a group of children splashing around, seemingly immune to the chilly water.
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Ivanhoe Cafe
Posted on July 15, 2013
Ivanhoe Cafe is one of those places that you stumble across and are like, “Why have I never been here before?!?!” My Kimberley job involves me flying to Kununurra every six weeks to do paediatric clinics over there, but most days we finish late when most things are closed and we’re thoroughly exhausted. After my final week in Kununurra (I feel quite sad saying that), Jinn flew up from Perth to join me so we could explore the East Kimberley a bit more. On our last day together, after frolicking in springs and climbing through gorges for the past few days we just felt like having an easy morning and stumbled upon this little place for breakfast.
The cafe has a thoroughly organic, almost lived in feel. It’s nestled amongst these giant mango trees that provide you with ample shade to enjoy your meal. We both ordered the breakfast muffin which came filled with yummy bacon slices, fresh salad greens, and an egg fried to runny-yolk perfection. It also came with a little dipping bowl of pretty mind-blowingly good housemade tomato chutney! The finishing touch was that golden yolk flowing out and coating the contents of the muffin with sunny, creamy goodness. Totally satisfying.
It was just perfect to relax under those great trees, enjoying good company (and pretty good coffee too!). And if you’re still hungry for more, the place sells housemade jams, chutneys, ice cream and local honey too. We left the place with contented stomachs, a shopping bag full of mango jam and that irresistible tomato chutney, sipping on our mango smoothies to go.
Bliss.
Ivanhoe Cafe / Ivanhoe Rd, Kununurra / +61 8 9168 1774 / Open 7 days a week 8:00am – 4:00pm (April to September)
The Silver Lining 