Winter in Melbourne

This is the view from my balcony today. The city looks particularly blue. I've been napping, drinking tea, and listening to Bon Iver. Life is good.

Niagara print

"It's Not You, It's Me" by Niagara

This was one of my Christmas presents, just in time to replace the 2009 New York Calendar on my wall. I love it!

>> More like this available at Outre Gallery (249 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne).

Oh, Christmas Tree

This little guy is going to be my Christmas tree this year (still a few decorations to be added), and after Christmas he's going outside to (hopefully) be reused again next year, and the year after, and the year after...

What: Christmas Tree
From: Fitzroy Nursery
Where: 390 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Cost: $31.95

Little birthday cupcakes

These Little Cupcakes were actually part of a present for someone else (we have the same birthday), but if I'm lucky I'll get to indulge in just one or two with him! Mmm... cupcakes!

Birthday post #4 - a squirrel on the wall!

As you may know, I have a bit of thing for squirrels, so this is possibly the cutest thing I have ever seen! I haven't named him yet, but he's going to live on the kitchen wall so I get to look at him all the time :) Truly, it's the perfect present for me, I'm so happy!

Thank you Hollie! xx

>> I'm not sure if I should send you to the Hokey shop, little lost love, or Vegan & Vintage... how about all three! You can also find her at the Rose Street Artist Market this weekend too.

Birthday post #2 - the bicycle bag

It's after midnight so I'm officially older! Hooray! (perhaps I shouldn't be so excited?) Anyway, the lovely Suzie of Button & Squiggle gave me this bicycle bag - very appropriate now that I'm riding my bike more often... including a 3 hour ride last weekend!

Thanks Suzie - I love it!

Birthday post #1 - Able & Game

I have to say, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world today (and it isn't even my birthday for another 3 minutes!). This is the first in a series of birthday present posts, because I just couldn't resist... I hope they don't mind!

If you haven't heard of Able & Game, check out the website - really cool, quirky cards! You can also find them at the Rose St Artists Market this Saturday & Sunday.

Thanks Anna!! :)

Vegan Wares shoes

Whether or not you're vegetarian/vegan, I highly recommend Vegan Wares non-leather shoes! They also make belts, wallets, bags... and custom made shoes if you can't find something you like, or the right size.

The NEW Lost+Found Market

I've been to the new Lost+Found Market (12 Smith St, Collingwood) a few times, and finally remembered to take photos when I was there yesterday - must be something to do with having this week off work cause this is more blogging than I've done in months! Anyway, I didn't buy anything (which is surprising) but there are all sorts of vintage treasures to explore if you find yourself in the area. Even worth a special trip!

>> I had to put up two photos to get the full inside-outside experience; the store goes over multiple levels, and all sorts of different areas, so it was hard to narrow it down to two!

Happy Mother's Day!

Breaking my "one photo only" rule here, but both of these were picked up at the Rose Street Artists Market as Mother's day gifts, and I couldn't pick just one! The first is a card by the ever so talented Able & Game, and the second is an elephant brooch created by Shonah. Both mothers involved were pretty chuffed with their presents, I think.

Yume

I know I've mentioned it before but I had dinner at the Japanese restaurant Yume (367 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) again last night, and it was delicious! I'm always surprised when there's hardly anyone in there - it's great food, and the menu has recently changed to include more vegetarian options, which rates well with me.

Recommended dishes:
~ Nasu Dengaku $6.80 (eggplant served with sweet white miso and dark miso sauce)
~ Vegetarian Gyoza $7.80 (served with lime soy sauce and salad; 5 pieces)
~ Vegetarian Tempura $7.80 (assorted vegetables lightly battered and crispy fried, served with basil soy)
~ Tofu Don $8.80 (soft tofu, stir fried mixed vegetables with teriyaki sauce on rice; pictured above)

The Greenstore

As general household items are running out, I'm making the switch to refillable bottles. My latest purchases from The Greenstore (385 Brunswick St, Fitzroy) are shampoo, conditioner and laundry powder (you only need to buy the bottles the first time). They also refill things like window cleaner, spray & wipe, toilet cleaner, dishwashing liquid, hand soap and massage oil. Get into it!

The Coburg Drive-In

Possibly my favourite cinema in Melbourne is the Coburg Drive-In (155 Newlands Rd, Coburg). Last night I was there to see The Boat That Rocked, which seemed very appropriate... and had a great soundtrack! Think I might've been born in the wrong era.



>> Two posts in one night, I'm on a roll!

Dress Me Slowly

Dress Me Slowly (328 Nicholson St, Fitzroy) is a vintage and retro clothing store that's only been open a few weeks. There are dresses and skirts for girls, plus shirts and jackets for boys. I haven't bought anything yet, but intend to go back again soon!

>> Also added to my Google map of Melbourne Shops & Markets (a work in progress)

Cut-out trees

I love the way trees are cutaway from powerlines. There's something cool about it's un-naturalness. Does that even make sense? I'm a bit tired.

>> Also, I've jumped on the Twitter train and it's full steam ahead! Follow me here if you like.

A night on the bowling green

$5 barefoot lawn bowls was a surprisingly satisfying way to spend a Friday night! I'm not very good yet, but imagine my headstart on those who begin at 70?

Lost+Found Market

If you live in Melbourne and haven't been to the Lost+Found Market (Smith Street, Collingwood), you absolutely must go! They moved premises from down the street a little while ago and the new shop has all sorts of goodies to peruse. This is actually where I bought my purple paisley material, and this pattern for a flowing floral dress.

>> I'm going to take proper sewing lessons before embarking on the dress, since my green velvet cushions were harder than they should've been (and still not finished!). Thread den is looking good.

St Kilda Festival

I braved the St Kilda Festival today to see a friend's band play in the Palais Theatre foyer, and on the way came across this little band playing on a roundabout. Cute, huh?

Laneway Festival

At St Jerome's Laneway Festival today I saw:
~ Tame Impala
~ Beaches
~ Port O'Brien
~ No Age
~ Pikelet
~ Holly Throsby (pictured above)
~ Augie March
~ The Hold Steady

Highlights: being happily surprised by No Age, The Hold Steady whole set, the free Library Stage, and Rue Bebelons unchanged drink prices.

Lowlights: Lack of water, lack of shade, oversold tickets, and frustrating festival layout with separated stage areas.

>> Also, everyone should check out this article "How green is your footprint?" (not just generic tips, quite insightful I thought)

Uh-oh

What the Australian Bureau of Meteorology has forecast for Melbourne this week:

TUESDAY
Min 15 celsius (59 fahrenheit)
Max 38 celsius (100 fahrenheit)

WEDNESDAY
Min 25 celsius (77 fahrenheit)
Max 41 celsius (106 fahrenheit)

THURSDAY
Min 26 celsius (79 fahrenheit)
Max 40 celsius (104 fahrenheit)

FRIDAY
Min 24 celsius (75 fahrenheit)
Max 40 celsius (104 fahrenheit)

SATURDAY
Min 24 celsius (75 fahrenheit)
Max 40 celsius (104 fahrenheit)

SUNDAY
Min 23 celsius (73 fahrenheit)
Max 31 celsius (88 fahrenheit)

MONDAY
Min 23 celsius (73 fahrenheit)
Max 30 celsius (86 fahrenheit)