Monday, September 16, 2013

Lovely Launceston...

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I was holidaying in Tasmania but last Halloween I found myself in Launceston loving the art deco architecture and the vintage clothing stores (of course).



A visit to the CWA shop had been recommended to me. So there I found the cutest handmade bags, pots of honey, jars of jam and yummy looking cakes and slices.  It was like I'd stepped back in time to my 1980s childhood. I also checked out The Quadrant mall with its street-seller florist and sweet little shops full of handmade jewellery and more honey! It's Tasmania after all.





But the highlight of my Launceston exploring was Nanna's Vintage. This vintage clothing store/cafe is among the best vintage stores I've ever found. Everything was vintage right down to the adorable china cup my coffee was served in as well as the sugar bowl and the tabelcloth! It was tucked away at the back of the mall but Nanna's Vintage really made my trip a memorable experience. 





There's nothing like sipping a cappuccino in a pretty cup, surrounded by vintage clothes and thinking how glad you are to be miles away from work. And yes, I bought a vintage swimsuit. Although, I still wish I'd purchase that 1960s dress...




Friday, October 26, 2012

Melbourne moments...

I spent two days living on Brunswick St while holidaying in Melbourne over the June long weekend. Despite Melbourne being synonymous with the cold, its winter weather was no worse than Sydney right now in Spring. I loved Brunswick Street - a yellow brick road of vintage shops, cafes and factory outlets. Sort of like King Street in Newtown only cleaner and more artistic.




And home to the cutest, vintage-inspired stationery...


As well as being gateway to the crafty and creative Rose Street Artists Markets (on Saturday mornings).



Brunswick Street is wonderful weird, the kind of place where anyone can feel at home...









People will tell you that Melbourne in the winter is bleak and grey. To me it was colourful and imaginative, much better than lying on a beach somewhere. Melbourne was, to quote Natasha Beddingfield, my "sojourn from the norm". And that's why I love it!







Five places to shop in Melbourne...
1. Retrostar - Southern hemisphere's largest vintage clothing store!
2. Vintage Sole on Brunswick St - for vintage boots, lots of them.
3. Zetta Florence on Brunswick St - their wrapping paper is adorable.
4. Kinki Gerlinki on Brunswick St - it's just a hip little boutique with cute jewellery and unusual clothing
5. Rose Street Artists Markets on Rose Street - so many handmade jewellery designers and talented artists in the one place!

Babka Bakery Cafe has the most devine coffee I've ever tasted. The State Library of Victoria cafe, Mr Tulk has a delicious breakfast menu and for live jazz the Paris Cat Jazz Club was fantasticly amazing! Melbourne certainly lives up to its foodie, artistic reputation. And then there's the shopping...




Tuesday, April 24, 2012

The belle of Rozelle...

I have frequented Rozelle Markets and shopped for bargains at the Red Cross Shop on Darling Street but it was only last month I paid my first visit to the belle of Rozelle shopping:


Mint Condition is rows and rows of vibrant vintage dresses, handbags, shoes and costume jewellery. The collection is amazing and new stock is added each week. A paradise for someone like me. I'm totally in love! 

So whilst in Rozelle on a Saturday morning I felt obligated to check out the Rozelle Markets, held every weekend at Rozelle Public School, and also home to some vintage gems:


Mostly Rozelle Markets is a treasure trove of collectables: tea cups, tea pots, my favourite milk jug decorated with bird and roses pattern I got from here. It has added character to many tea parties.



 Three places to shop in Rozelle...
1. Mint Condition: 134 Victoria Road, Rozelle
2. Rozelle Markets: Rozelle Public School, Darling Street, Rozelle
3. Red Cross Shop: 656a Darling Street, Rozelle

Sunday, April 8, 2012

How I learnt to stop worrying and love the Black Dog...

I went to the Bipolar Insights panel at the Black Dog Institute on Wednesday evening and I learned from fellow moodies how mood disorders can both help and hinder those who suffer from them.



'The person in the bell jar' via Tumblr

If you have a mood disorder you are up, you are down, you are both at the same time. It's confusing and frightening like a merry-go-round ride or a ferris wheel, sometimes more like a ghost train.

Luna Park Ferris Wheel

via milk and cookies

The three panelists for Bipolar Insights were honest, analytical and brave in recounting their experiences with Bipolar. I think anything that shows how much determination and courage it takes to live with Bipolar Disorder is a good thing.

The picture below illustrates what it's like to have a mood disorder. One minute you're shopping up a storm, the next you're in deep depression in need of a crazy umbrella. Your life is light and dark. It helps to know other people feel the same.


Isabella Mcrae, NSW, HC

via the Black Dog Institute

This photograph was taken from the Black Dog Institute's photographic competition Snapping the Black Dog: A Photographic Competition about Hope and Resilience in the Fight against Depression. I recommend their website for help in overcoming and surviving depression 




Friday, April 6, 2012

Sydney Uni for something new (and old)...

Last Saturday I went to the Raid My Wardrobe event at Sydney University. With a selection of stalls selling pre-loved everyday wear, designer and vintage clothing the event was a cross between Rozelle markets and Vinnies at Summer Hill. It's held at the Aquatic Centre on the Darlington Campus of Sydney Uni.



According to the website, Raid My Wardrobe was started by a Newcastle mother whose wardrobe needed sharing and re-wearing. The idea is to recycle quality clothing and accessories. It's indoor market style and not dissimilar to a series of classy white elephant stalls.


I bought two skirts in the Annandale chic look I am trying chameleon-like to master for Sunday afternoon coffees at Esther's Table. All in all my spending was pretty mild given that my mood looked like:


But I got out and about and tried something new. Find Raid My Wardrobe online at:

http://www.raidmywardrobe.com.au/

A great little site for those whose budgets and philosophies favour pre-loved fashion, a green-thinking, recyclable mindset.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Op shops of Lonsdale Street (the other one)...

As a post-script to the Braddon blues I spent the final day of my Canberra holiday investigating op shops on Lonsdale Street. The Sunflower Charity shop helped to fill a few gaps in my handbag collection. It cheered me up on an otherwise dismal day.


After my trip to Canberra, way too many bills to pay and a few splurges on new season dresses that I now can't stand the sight of, I'm one broke girl wishing my hobbies didn't involve so much money.






Short on funds I spent last weekend raiding the self-help section of Ashfield Library. Reading, like shopping, makes me feel better without compromising my bank balance. Thank goodness for public libraries!



Op shops of Lonsdale Street...
1. Sunflower Charity Shop, Griffin Centre, Lonsdale St, Canberra
2. ADRA Op Shop, Shop 2 14 Lonsdale St, Braddon

Friday, March 2, 2012

Braddon blues...

My journey to Canberra (Wednesday 29th February 2012) was plagued by a sense of gloom, dark clouds and rainy weather. I love Canberra, especially in Autumn, but I really wish I didn't have to drive there, especially in the wet.

Arriving safely (but only just) I took refuge in the National Gallery. I left feeling a little uplifted but mostly like a blue penguin in the flock of grey...


The upside of being down is that I lose my will to shop. After browsing 'iskip itrip' and being thoroughly disappointed, I went for a walk along Lake Burley Griffin. Sometimes you have to travel to keep you soul alive...



The last day of summer, Wednesday 29th February, looked like this to me: