Wednesday 25 April 2012

Small Town Love

P.E.R.T.H I am growing to love you more each week. I refuse to be a Perth hater like many others of my generation. Sure Melbourne has laneways and liquor laden hangouts on every corner, Sydney has restaurants and riches but Perth has beaches, regular temps above 25 degrees in winter, the south west wine region and an ever growing array of great local foodie hot spots. This brings me to the subject of my post a little local that popped up on a corner not too far from home: Piccolo's Corner in West Leederville. 

I drive past it on my daily commute to work and have been waiting for it to open, and whilst i have not yet popped in - I plan on doing so tomorrow for my morning caffeine hit!

Check it out.....groceries, breakfast, five senses coffee, mismatched china....CUUUUUUUTE! Don't mind if I do.



Corner of Woolwich and St Leonard's Ave, West Leederville
Tue-Fri 7am-5pm, Sat-Sun 8am-2pm, closed Mon

Oh and there is a cozy little courtyard! 

Will let you know how my coffee goes tomorrow!!!

Monday 23 April 2012

Cheeky Mid-Weeky

With it's unassuming exterior and hidden location (granted it is pretty hard to navigate after 6 sangrias), the Cheeky Sparrow is a great watering hole any night of the week, but particularly Friday nights.

The Cheeky Sparrow is a cafe by day, bar by night and serves great food and drinks. The biggest shock (perhaps 'surprise' is a better term) of all, is the service by both security and bar staff - which are great by any standard, but particuarly Perth.

As soon as you step into the Sparrow you feel like you have been transported into a loft-style bar in NYC. The atmosphere is great, there is usually a DJ who plays just loud enough tat you can still comfortably sit at one of the booths and hear your best friend drunkenly rant from across the table.


As far as food goes, I recommend the Charcuterie boards (below are a choice, but they are also accommodating enough to let you create your own) 

board 1
warmed olives, dandaragan olive oil, dukkah, crusty bread 18

board 2
choice of two antipasti, proscuitto di parma, toscano, wagyu
bresaola, crusty bread 30

board 3
choice of two antipasti, jamon serrano, grilled chorizo,
handmade spanish salami, crusty bread 30

Spread your wings and check it out!

Mmmmm Anzac baking

What better excuse is there than Anzac Day to bake some chewy, buttery goodies?!

Here is an old family recipe that I hope you enjoy as much as we did this weekend...

Ingredients

1 cup of plain flour
1 cup of rolled oats
1 cup of desiccated coconut
3/4 cup of brown sugar
135g of butter
3 tbs golden syrup
1 tbs bicarb soda
2 tbs water
Half a packet of Chocolate Melts (optional)

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 160 degrees (or about 200 degrees if you've got an ancient oven like us!). Line two baking trays with non-stick baking paper.

2. Sift the flour into a large bowl and stir in the oats, coconut and brown sugar.


3. Place the butter, golden syrup and 2 tbs of water in a small saucepan and stir over medium heat until melted.

4. Stir in the bicarb soda


5. Pour the butter mixture into the flour mix and stir until combined. I usually do this bit with clean hands - that way you've got an excuse to eat half the mixture. 

6. Roll the mixture into balls using the palms of both hands to press down the balls. I usually find this an easier way than a fork as it leaves the biscuits a bit smoother.

7. Place about 3 cm apart on your baking tray and bake for about 10 minutes or until golden.

8. Once cooled slightly, place on a cooling rack where your biscuits will harden.

9. An optional extra for the chocolate lovers is to melt some chocolate and spread it over your warm biscuits (or drizzle if you're watching your figure). Place in the fridge to set and you've got yourself a damn good biscuit!!

The plain biscuits were the result of the palm
squish and the choc biscuits,
not so much....
10. Don't leave them cooling while you go out for coffee, leaving 3 boys at home watching the football or you'll end up with half as many as you first made.

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Bedroom inspiration (G rated)

Your bedroom should be your sanctuary; but for many, it's the one room which is neglected in the decorating process.

Decorating your little slice of heaven needn’t be expensive or over the top, but it should reflect your style and make you feel warm and fuzzy every time you step inside.

Here are a few bedroom ideas that are currently providing me with some inspiration...

The Quilted Bedhead



Rustic Charm





Simple, with a hint of masculinity




Exposed brick feature




Natural beauty




White on white




All images courtesy of Pinterest


Friday 13 April 2012

"Be my maid?"

I remember as a little girl, vowing to my best friend Caroline, that she would one day stand by me as I married the man of my dreams. At that time, said dreamy man was nothing but a mop, who lovingly gazed into my eyes as Caroline 'married' us on my back lawn.


After 21 years of friendship, many silly memories and Caroline's own stunning wedding, I've finally been able to fulfill my childhood promise and ask her, amongst 3 other beautiful friends to be my Bridesmaids!! Although, I probably could have made better choices in the looks department...


I get a tad emotional at the best of times, so I knew asking these gorgeous girls verbally would involve more tears than words. So after looking around for some cute ideas, I stumbled across the idea of a 'Bridesmaid Box'. A lovely gift which can be personalised to suit your style as well as incorporate the details of your wedding day.

Although the Bridesmaid Box was something for the girls to keep, I felt the need for something a little sentimental too.  So I wrapped the boxes with brown string and tied a vintage spool to the top, which were custom made by Choosing You. The spools un-wound to read a special message to each of the girls, which they read before opening their boxes (and also meant I didn't have to say a thing!).

The spool was too long for the one photo, so this just
shows the beginning and end of the reel. Watch as they
 unwrap these little tear jerkers and I'll give you a prize if you
manage not to cry.

If you've got the time, this is something you could quite easily do yourself; stalk a few op shops to find wooden spools, measure and cut a line of pretty fabric and use fabric stamps to write your message. Wrap in recycled paper and voila!

Once the spools were read, put aside, re-read and popped aside again - the girls were into their boxes. I found these paper mache round boxes in Spotlight, which I lined with crocheted doilies (also from Spotties) and filled with clippings of bridesmaid dresses and colour ideas I had collected over the weeks.


I popped a few other bits a pieces inside; a little 'Bride Oath' I had made (to ensure they all knew I wouldn't turn into a crazy Bridezilla), a Baci chocolate as well as four handmade cards.

The cards came from an idea I found on Pinterest and are a wonderful way to personally  explain your wedding details. Use any title you feel is relevant and write away.

I used the first card 'Our Day' to explain the date and location of our wedding; the second card 'Your Role' to explain to the girls that all I really needed them to do was pop the champagne; the third 'My Girls' named each of my bridesmaids and why they are such special girls and the final card 'Your Dresses' explained the very few ideas I had about their dresses.


Last of all, I popped an old photo in each of the boxes. Having known each of these girls for most of my life, I had some great shots! And it just so happened that I was able to find a photo of my gorgeous sister (and now my Maid of Honour!) Tenille and I playing dress ups in Mum's Bridesmaid dress when we were little. Perfect!



The finished product
The champagne and tears flowed and four of my beautiful friends have now learnt how to pose.


Tuesday 10 April 2012

The Seventies



I can see the twenty year old me cringing at what I am about to post...

So what did the seventies have to offer aside from soft rock music, boho fashion and an increase in the sales of Stone's green ginger wine? Well I won't go as far as saying that all design aspects from the seventies are admirable and worthy of reproduction (i.e. the pairing of brown with orange), but the following are but a few note worthy contributions from the seventies:

Wall paper:
Simple pendant lighting:

Gorgeous interiors mixing soft furnishings, clean lines and geometric designs:

Fabrics worthy of reclaiming for reupholstering and making vintage cushions:

And I cannot believe I find myself saying this...and believe me I would take a Victorian or Art Deco home over a seventies number *any day of the week (*Wednesdays being the exclusion), but having found myself wandering through the adjoining suburb of Coolbinia on a regular basis whilst walking my dogs; I have gained an appreciation for seventies architecture. And though hesitant at first, I have found the interest is ever growing:

On the 'To Do' List

Ddddddddddddelightfully delicious...well actually I wouldn't have a clue what the hell it tastes like, but does it really matter about taste when a place looks this good? Ok yeah, it kind of does matter...quite a bit. BUT, there is a pretty good chance you will check a place out when it has a get-up like this (am I wrong?):


The details:
Dough Pizza - Perth
434a William St, Northbridge

with a 91% 'like it' rating on urbanspoon, I am quietly confident that a positive review on the actual pizza will be posted in the not too distant future.

Keep your mug warm this winter

Dare I say it - but as we get older it gets harder and harder to think of a gift that is not only lovely, but shows your giftee that you've put a bit more thought into their prezzie than running to the nearest gift shop on your lunch break.

So when I stumbled across this delightful little online store - Knit Storm, I knew I had found a source of many a thoughtful gift. Knit Storm specialise in personalised tea cup cozies, coffee mug sleeves and even paper cup cozies. Perfect for your coffee/tea loving bestie!




You might even like to spoil yourself while you're at it.

Fill with home made chocolates or
chocolate coated coffee beans for a yummy
addition to your gift

If you're strong enough to go past his and hers mug cozies, you're a better person than me.


Sunday 8 April 2012

What's in a Package: Judging a Book by it's Cover.

I am an advertising exec's dream...I will buy almost anything if it is beautifully packaged. No really, I bought a $55 bottle of scotch for the bottle (I don't drink scotch). Once upon a time a lot of effort was put into packaging, with items often being hand stamped and wrapped. These days there is a lot of thought put into packaging, but too often the "pretty" factor is missing. Here are but a few of my favourites that I have and/or would buy purely based on looks.

My top pick has to be these soup cups by Nusa Kitchens...I can see myself snuggled up on the couch with my knitting and this cup of soup...genius!