the millswyn

bar 132 at the millswyn

via the millswyn

The rather posh and newly refurbed South Yarra restaurant, the Millswyn. Ticking so many boxes on my interiors lust list; beech timbers, grey walls, kelim cushions in the private function room and bar and in the restaurant nordic white meets hampton's interior. Wouldn't it be nice lunching and gazing over these tree top views?

cute time out corner

via rie elise larsen

Friday I put my hands up to babysit JD's nephews (2 yrs & 9 months), whilst their parents enjoy an evening with Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens). Time out corners weren't required but I was worded up that I was in for a challenging night. It went pretty smoothly, other than bed time being postponed a couple of hours..

Saturday in contrast, we went out for a friends birthday drinks which followed with world cup madness.

Today, I met up with some friends for a lazy Sunday lunch at the Aviary. A couple glasses of wine followed with the lemon myrtle tart I easily could have nestled into a peaceful siesta on their chirpy yellow seats.

I thought to pop into Ikea on the way home, but came to my senses and remembered that it should be avoided at all costs on Sundays. Instead I spend the rest of the night on the couch with the boy (and Gary, George & Matt).

happy friday... and a life that was

via andaherzt

JD and I went out for dinner tonight.

Friday nights particularly after a long working week, not wanting to be disappointed, we're suckers for returning to favorite haunts. Bosisto's did not disappoint. We chowed down to the white wine mussels with fittes, and anchovie buffulo mozzerella tomatoes and the warm roasted chorizo, chickpea, mushrooms & goat curd to share. And oh extra bread for mopping up the mussel sauce. Heaven.

Full bellied we rolled down Bridge Road to walk it off.

Over the years so much has changed about Richmond, the suburb of my childhood. I recall walking up & down Richmond Hill from my primary school. The big blue stone church disappeared from view as I made it closer to home.

The corner milk bar on Coppin Street which my brother, sister & I used to buy Red Skins and chewing gum after school is no longer. I remember during winter we used to buy these chocolate candy cigarettes and mimicked cigarette smoke with our warm breath blowing into the cold fog air. Argh those were the 80's when political incorrectness rife and kids could faux smoking freely.

I remember the op-shop on the corner of Bridge Road & Hunter Street where I dragged my first thrifted chair home when I was 13. I still have it, and it's followed me to my current home.

During high school visiting friends in the 'burbs on weekends meant jumping on the number 70 tram or waiting on platform 2 at Burnley train station. Two hardworking parents meant my adolescence was independent and with my young parents blind faith that I'd be ok.

Getting my drivers license once I turned 18 was pointless and prolonged. Walking home from a big night out was a 20 minutes and a visit to the bakery at 3am in the morning meant my girlfriends and I could devour freshly baked chocolate croissants - Oh warm chocolate ouzing from the flakey pastry..

No longer the modest working class suburb but now the hub of buzzing cafes and bars, home to Ikea, towering apartments, subdivided blocks of town houses and homes to young professionals and uni student renters.

Oh but Richmond you'll always be mine.

me want cookie! me eat cookie!

Tove Hedman via Decor8

I want these Didoni font cookie cutters. Seriously, aren't they just the coolest? Yeah, he gets it....

On the weekend I did not get nearly half the things I had aimed to.

On Saturday we went for a yummy dinner with friends at Little Creatures. Hmmm, happily shared the pretty much everything on the menu.. So damn good!

the weekend so far..

Last night, friends and I had dinner and drinks at Movida. Yuuum. Completely over ordered and still managed to squeeze in churros and a citrus custard for dessert. Oh my, deeelicous.

Afterwards we saw Sarah Blasko at the forum. What can I say, she was spectacularly ethereal.

Today JD and I worked a little more on the kitchen (kitchen? what kitchen...?) On the way to Bunnings, I stopped off and checked out a school trash n treasure market. I bought this "It's love that makes a house a home" cross stitch for $2. It's strategically placed amongst the crumbling bricks and mess in the kitchen.. I spose a little cheesiness never hurt nobody.

Going to see a movie tonight with the boy.

this weekend...

No house stuff done whatever so ever... and I'm not feel guilty.

I spent most of the weekend hanging out, eating, browsing and catching up with friends.

Saturday night, great night in at friends place stuffing ourselves silly with amazing Indian take out. They're off to Paris and Italy for 4 weeks on Monday - jealous.

Today I caught up with another friend and went for a late brekky at Tusk. I highly recommend the poached eggs, smoked salmon, wilted spinach on potato roesti stacks and hollandaise sauce... Ooooooh my gosh, delicious. We were waited on by Lucy, made famous the Satorialist.

We wandered around around Windsor, both on a mission to buy some vintage boots (yes, at the end of winter - go figure) but with no success. Went into Tarlo & Graham and I noticed my big glass bottle selling for $140 which I found op-shopping for $5!

Tarlo & Graham - images via The Design Files

I'll be spending the evening on the couch I think. I may consider going for a walk and work off that hollandaise sauce... But don't hold me to that.

interior love: mart 130

A cute little cafe located at Middle Parks tram stop. Mart, tram spelt backwards.. Always busy however if you don't mind the wait the food is delicious. How cute is the old school styling? Right up my alley!

I considered it as a possible venue for our engagement party back in February, as they offer private function hire. However the old lawn bowls club won over due to its size for our large extended families and handy so little ones could run amuck. Perhaps, an idea for an upcoming 30th?

Images are via Breakfast Out, a fabulous website which lists Melbourne best breakfast haunts. Go have perve if not for the interior photography, but for drool worthy food styling.

via loveology

Blog posts have been rather light this week...

Haven't been home much. JD & I have been eating out due to still no operational stove or oven. We're been here & here.. At this rate we'll have no moolah left to finish the kitchen.

I have the day off work tomorrow, perhaps I'll feel inspired and do some catch up back-blogging.... OR I won't go near the computer, be proactive and get stuff done.. Well see, huh?

Loitering about the town..

I decided to head to the Melbourne Design Market at Fed Square today. It was crazy busy! Most of the exhibitors/stall holders I have seen at the Life Instyle Fairs but I made some cool new discoveries. I bought some cute fabric from Ink & Spindle which I think I'll frame or make a cushion with.

From there I went Lost & Found Market on Smith St and drooled over this danish dining table & chairs in the window.

The chair upholstery was a lovely neutral soft wool

Sorry about the crap camera phone photos

Also stopped by Industria on Gertrude St where I contemplated buying some super cute mini chairs for the children I am yet to have. I came close to convincing myself that maybe I can find another use for them in the interim.. Step aerobics?

Next Dimmey's in Richmond, which to much sadness is closing after 150 years. I bought a couple of meters of this plastic faux crochet table runner which I may it use for gift wrapping, or some weird suspended installation thing when Christmas creeps up again.. Or perhaps just use it for its intended purpose..

Plastic fantastic!

For lunch I dragged my hung over friend out of bed to meet me for coffee and light lunch at Bosistos in Bridge Rd, Richmond.

Images via The Design Files

It was a lovely way to spend a lazy Sunday.

Sunday breaky @ Porgie & Mr Jones

To polish off a successful day at the market, I had a delicious breakfast at Porgie & Mr Jones in East Hawthorn.
Mr Jones scrambled eggs with holy goats cheese was scrumdiliumcious!

the undertaker

On the weekend I caught up with a friend for dinner at the Undertaker in Hawthorn.

It's been some time since I was last there, a friends previous bad customer service experience was a little off putting, so I boycotted it (geeze, how effective word of mouth can be..)

They've made changes to the bar and dining rooms - the lighting installations and vintage tram scrolls look great. The upstairs dining room staff were warm and friendly and not so hoitey toitey and the food was delicious and quite substantial portions for fine dining.

I'll be making my way back there again soon to try out the more recession friendly grazing plates and pizza's on the bar menu.

Check out their website The Undertaker.

Siglo Rooftop Bar

Image Via The Age

This is a cool rooftop bar called Siglo in Melbourne's CBD.
Friends and I went there for pre-drinks before a gig one night and although it was bucketing down with rain, the view of the leafy trees down below, Parliament house over the road, the old painted brick signage gave us a beautiful glimpse of old Melbourne town.

For a tour of more old signage around Melbourne check out Our Fading Past found via Far Out Brussel Sprout.