J Crew finally in Australia

On Thursday morning I woke up to some great news. Aussies can now get their fix of all-American style, gorgeous cashmere knits and ballet slippers in every variety from the ubiquitous J Crew store. Yay!!

Screenprint from www.jcrew.com/womens-clothing.msp

To do: Rock-climbing by the Yarra

Breathe. Hold. Stretch across. Now, up or down? Blue or Green?...Or perhaps a scenic walk by the river and a coffee instead?

Walking like an Egyptian / Rhesus Monkey

Gritty television

It's been a long time since I've heard the word "grits" in the context of breakfast...Perhaps not since I read something by Dickens or Louisa May Alcott, in fact. Nevertheless, it turns out that grits are particularly delicious when eaten with pistachio and pomegranate and washed down with a glass of bubbles in the former executive offices of the Channel 9 studios in Richmond.

Every weekend for the month of March, you too can try Dickensian delicacies, or if you prefer, something savory like pulled pork rolls, in the Graham Canteen at 22 Bendigo Street, Richmond.

Important decisions being made at "Condiments"

The canteen, which takes its name from the Channel 9 personality Graham Kennedy, is part of the "Richmond Weekender", a pop-up initiative taking place in the beautiful old Channel 9 studios. From the end of March, the studios will be turned into apartments, so I strongly recommend a weekend visit before this happens.

If you're not feeling hungry (really?! Not even a wafer of angus beef brisket?), check out the Speakeasy Cinema - open every Saturday until March 31st. And although it's all temporary, I loved the devotion to detail, such as the Aesop hand-wash in the porta-loos and the sustainable 'Bio-Cups'. High-five to all involved.

"This isn't golf, ladies"

No, it's indoor skiing.

It's new, it's difficult, it's fast and a bit scary - and I'm irreconcilably addicted only after one lesson.

Slightly hungover, sweating like a beast and grinning from ear to ear

3 more days only: Greenhouse by Joost for MFWF

Last Friday we headed down to check out the Greehouse by Joost Bakker, a sustainable bar and cafe that has popped up on the banks of the Yarra River during Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.

After a short wait, we were ushered into the upstairs bar, with stunning views of the river over recycled barrels brimming with herbs. We washed down delicious, sticky muffins with beer and a fresh white wine, all served in recycled  packaging. I was delighted with the unfailing, dedicated and creative attitude towards sustainability that pervaded the whole building - from the construction to the toilets. Just a short walk from Melbourne CBD, it's worth a look before it disappears forever.

Rave: Inika Natural Perfection Concealer

I discovered the Inika brand a little while ago, and I've been meaning to write a review about it ever since. First though, let's let President Obama give it a crack. He sums up my feelings for the Inika and their Natural Perfection Concealer perfectly. In fact, he probably was talking about them.

Oh! Oh Land

How did I not know about the fabulous Nanna Øland Fabricius earlier? She's the girl you wished you'd grown up next door to (and whose clothes you could borrow). That voice!.. Those bangs!.. Those balloons!!

A walk after the rain

The other day in Topshop I noticed a gorgeous, bright yellow men's rain jacket. I liked it's boxy, masculine cut, which would work equally well with some old jeans and a pair of gumboots as it would with a pretty floral dress, cruising around town on the bike...I'm tempted - particularly as autumn sets in.