Spiegeltent spectacular part one

It doesn't get more stylish & Sydneyish than the Spiegeltent, a beer to cool down from the 35 degree heat and the looping sounds of Andrew Bird.

Bird opened his 3 night Sydney Festival tour last night with an astounding performance within the charmingly rickety confines of the famous Spiegeltent, at right.

As Bird's layered rock/folk/whathaveyou soared, it felt as though the tent roof was billowing in response.

For a more informative description and access to his music, see here. If you can get tickets tonight or tomorrow, GO.

Next stop at the tent is La Clique, which I am sure will also result in an awe-inspired Hat and accompanying esoteric review.

To all a good Christmas/ Holiday etc!

May it be full of joy, as well as kookaburras, pimms and salt water.

Et Voila!

Wrapping re-think

For gift-wrapping this year, eschew snowmen & gold ribbon in favour of chic clippings from your favourite publications.

Rip out pages with joyous imagery and bold colour, and then choose each page for particular personalities (Gourmet Traveller's Spain issue for your foodie friend, for instance).

Your presents will not only reek of style & superiority but will also help save the planet!

Sydney-style sweets for Christmas

The Sydney Eton Mess (or Kings School Mess, if we're switching cities):

- Make approx. 10 meringues or a medium sized pavlova (best to use a Delia or Nigella recipe) the day before serving.
-Place macadamia nuts (non-salted and/or caramelised) in a plastic bag and bash with a rolling-pin till crumbly.
-Toast some dessicated coconut on a tray under the grill till golden.
-Crumble meringues or tear-up the pav onto a broad platter, lined with banana leaves if you're into presentation.
-Slice up slivers of mango and pulp at least 6 passionfruits.
-Whip 2 punnets of fresh thickened cream with a few tablespoons of icing sugar and pour over the meringue-mess.
-Add the fruit, nuts and coconut (and fresh lychees if desired).

The Mum Mango Special:

-Allow good quality vanilla ice cream to soften, then add lime juice and zest to taste, as well as toasted coconut. Mix it up with a large metal spoon and place back in freezer.
-Choose perfect Kensington Prides and slice off cheeks.
-Use a clean (non-meat-smelly) griddle, place over heat and add a knob of butter.
-Place the mango cheeks face down and grill for only a few minutes, until caramelised.
-Serve warm mango with the ice-cream on top, as well as shaved white-chocolate if you're feeling indulgent
-Take to the table and act like Nigella.

I know all the classics have had a tropical face-lift in recent times (pannacotta, trifle, brulee) and we may be facing our limit, but when it's over 30 degrees on the 25th December, it'll all make sense.

Festive favours

Christmas ideas this year are made easy by navigating through the sj + Hat blog tags. We're not sure if you've noticed, if you click on the titles below each post such as "shopping", "design", or "food" then all the posts that relate to that subject are returned in date order. To add to our past recomendations, some new design and shopping suggestions include:

For him:

M & Co. watch from Remo. Sold at the MoMa store and known as the designer's watch of choice, this is the parfait present for the minimalist-chic man in your life.

Photographs by Alex Davies from Chalk Horse Gallery. Davies is a oft-exhibited Sydney photographer/new media artist, whose work is selling for $50 for an unframed print. Until 15th December. Below.

Lomo camera. Rediscover the joys of film photography with the re-released 1960s plastic snapper. He'll be the most hipsterish hipster at the beach. For similar effect, go for a Holga via Amazon or ebay.

For her:

A subscription to Cuisine Magazine- voted best food magazine in the world by Cordon Bleu and myself, Cuisine is the ultimate foodie gift. It has the best cover images of any magazine in any industry and is only $AU48 for a yearly subscription!

Becca travel tote/brush set. Every girl who wears make up needs good quality brushes so this present is both cute and practical. Plus it comes with a free creme blush from AdoreBeauty.com

Papier mache bowls made by HIV-affected South African women as part of the Wola Nani foundation. Available in Sydney at Macleay on Manning.

Atelier R Bernier bags from Lola et Moi.

Decca: the letters of Jessica Mitford. My favourite Mitford - I plan on reading this on the beach this Summer.

Lucite ring, $10, from Shara Lambeth at Mintd (the Aussie version of Etsy).

A bit rich

Bourke Street Bakery is not a food venue to be messed with. Most of Sydney is obsessed, and sj + hat are great fans, however the double takes of the staff as Amy Winehouse serving sourdough. Does anybody else think they're little indie scary?

Staff fashions aside, while recently cowering 'neath their alternative scowl as my latte was in preparation I noticed the trendy Christmas cakes for $40 a (tiny) pop.

Sure you get a BSB branded canvass tote and yes I can reuse that instead of plastic bags to help
save the environment... but $40 for a Christmas (cup) Cake? The Salvos is under $20, and you'll have to permit me to report back on Simon Johnson and Jones the Grocer (pictured) prices.... but be warned. $40 is steep. And normally for this kind of exchange, I'd expect the staff to be very lovely to and happy for you. The BSB Christmas Cake obviously at DINK sized, inner city rock star / artist couple prices.

Instead, take the time to make your own instead.
There's a gorgeous ritual that every person who'll you be sharing the cake with should have a turn stirring the dried fruit and sherry mix and then make a wish, before the flour and sugar for batter. Spend the extra cash on yummy figs, unsweetened cranberries, goji and blueberry instead of retail prices and enjoy a moment with your loved ones, baking together, rather than being terrified into designer bakery festive cake submission.

Swimming trunk show

Swim? Yes please!

There are some good cossie (that's swimsuit for you Northern Hemisphere readers) choices around this Summer, what with Lover and Country Road releasing their swimwear range, and labels like Anna & Boy gathering momentum.

Said labels are providing us with the 'thinking woman's bikini' - less cheetah prints and jarring hues, and increased elegance & fashion-consciousness.

Lover's range is an extension of their 'Picnic at Hanging Rock meets Patti Smith' aesthetic. Gather front classic bra + trunk, below. Available at bloodorange.

Anna & Boy is a little sexier, but still sophisticated, and uses simple prints and flattering designs. Summer 07/08 backstage image, above right.

Or for some french flash, invest in one of Princesse Tam Tam's bikinis - they're my ultimate. Fish pattern in brassiere design, below.

Will keep you updated if we find any other bikini beauties...

African Frills

They say it's who you know....

Lucky for charity and organisations, celebrities are increasingly focusing their default industry associations with international luxury fashion for cultural, humanitarian and environmental good.

Just As Cate Blanchett recently pulled a few Armani strings for the Sydney Theatre Company and Ali Mrs Bono Hewson runs her own eco friendly clothes range, Edun (as pictured here on Ben Affleck) Gucci have announced that Madonna and their creative director will host a fundraising event for Raising Malawi and UNICEF.





Ah, 07/08 - when, to adopt a child, you simply have to order multiples of sparkle leotards, leather jackets and pick a country?

To credit, Gucci have designed a Holiday Campaign to benefit UNICEF since 2005. However considering it was just seven years ago that (with her Music album) Madonna was robed entirely in Dolce and Gabbana, this is a very bold move that you hope she's not mistaking low profile African nations as mere fashion trend.

Beat Poet, thought and note artistry

There's a lot more to say about small, monochromatic designer notebooks than just "the perrrrrrrfect little Christmas something, darling".

Anticipating the many '08 resolutions you may not keep, at least their storage in a worthy Beat Poet or Moleskine diary, you'll have a stylish record of your best intentions.

Complement to the classic Moleskine, the Oscar Wilde favoured range now includes City Notebooks featuring the famous black elastic strap, cream paper and back pocket with key maps, metro systems and an alphabetical street index additions.

Newcomers onto the stationery scene Beat Poet have branched their core menswear design towards publishing, to launch a notebook bundle of lined, grid, black and blank page options available at Sydney stores Dorby Den and Someones from this Saturday.

Which gives you exactly one month to consider how you're going to spend 2008 recording penned thought and illustrations.

PYD to the SYD & more emerging spaces

The latest addition to the Waterloo revival: pyd (Phillip, Danks and Young Streets, marking the building's coordinates) is pitched as "good design meets fine food." Sound familiar? That's because the pioneering 2 Danks St complex around the corner is where art meets fine food. Oh well, more fineness and food is surely a good thing. pyd (lower case is back in, it seems) contains The Country Trader, the beautifully-named Mother of Pearl & Sons and numerous high end furniture stores and bathroom outfitters. As well as a bakery cafe.

And then there's William St. Once just a multi-lane behemoth that cut a swathe through the chic-icity of Potts Point and Darlo, it now hosts 2 reputable art galleries - King St Gallery on William and Birrung Gallery as well as a celebrity florist/cafe - Perry Madison.

There are still numerous car rental outlets but my inner Sydney property magnate tells me they'll be replaced by Potts Pointy boutiques in no time.



John Bokor's Clovelly, above, from King St Gallery on William.

And one of Perry Madison's posies.

Card craziness continues

Moo.com and flickr have joined forces these holidays to present the People Powered Card Store. Images and designs are offered up by flickr members and you can have them printed on your own set of Christmas cards, with personalised message inside and all!

Being flickr, and therefore filled with photofile nutbags, you can even include the details of the snapshot on the back of the card (shutter speed, film used, time of day etc.) For those so inclined, add your images to the store and you could win $2000. Field87's Happy Birthday Jesus at right.

$1 from each pack goes to Medecins san Frontiers.

Or if you feel like sticking to graphics, you can choose from the many talented Moo-associated designers, such as Mark Johns (right).

Such online resources are essential as I've come to the sad conclusion that Sydney has a depressing dearth of interesting, quality card & stationery options, particularly for Christmas.

We all scream

What happens, exactly, at 4pm on a weekend with your salty beach hair and that fabulous sun kissed exhaustion from spending all day surfing, that all you can think of is ice cream?

Bubble O Bill, Splice, Eskimo Pie, Calippo's or the 80's favourite Gaytime summer temptation there may be, but connoisseurs should venture further than the traditional milk bar as Sydney boasts some gourmet ice cream places where you can purchase many litres of frozen temptation.

The moo patterned Serendipity factory is hard to miss nor resist on Enmore Road Marrickville. Open for freezer door sales of ice cream, sorbets, frozen yoghurts and ice cream cakes.

In the back streets of Annandale, $1 Dairy Bell cones are piled high with generous scoops of childhood classics neapolitan and bubblegum - Dairy Bell 44 Australia St, Camperdown.



Closer to the surf is Wellington on Bondi Road, Bondi. Appearing from the street as an unassuming bagelry, their lemon meringue p-ice cream is of Willy Wonker calibre by the recreation of butter pastry, lemon curd and crispy egg whites. Their wonderfully intense coffee flavour is ice cream to that magical nth degree.

Pat and Stick's are two clever chaps devoted to handmade ice-cream sandwiches. Fantastic as cheat-desserts at dinner parties because they look so cute & taste even better. See here for market and some upmarket store stockists.

Christmas fun part one

The glee with which I search for Christmas cards could be considered somewhat concerning. But with such a renaissance of letterpress printers and boutique paperies, how could you suppress such comfort and joy?

It may not yet be December, but my search has turned up some goodies.

The cutest prize goes to Fiddlesticks' Abominable! card (below).

And Hat favourite Hammerpress has a Bah Humbug card (below) that will stand out on the mantel.




For morally sound festive labels and more, see A Favourite.

And something for mum: Port 2 Port's pretty pine design (below).

But my favourite so far is Armato Design's Portable Mistletoe card (above). It suggests that you keep it in your pocket and "when the spirit moves you, hold it over that special someone's head and see what happens." (Sage) advice indeed.

To find out more about the bespoke revolution, see the letterpress guide at Design Sponge - that pinnacle of taste & temptation.

Films on tour

Factor this in for upcoming summer weekends away - the Sydney Film Festival is on tour.

It is travelling to the gorgeous Avoca Beach Theatre from November 30 to December 2.




With further dates TBD for other weekender destinations such as Byron and the Gong, you can slip into air conditioned comfort, slop your lips around a choc top and slap along giggling to features such as Beauty in Trouble (pictured), just one of nine screenings at the beachside locale.

Spring 08 - Sydney Style

The question of our times: what do the Northern Hemisphere Spring 08 ready-to-wear shows mean to Sydneysiders? Not many of us can afford or be bothered to brave the Castlereagh St boutiques, and if we do, they usually have the wrong season (ie- our season) and the range has a token feel to it (I can always imagine someone in Milan or Paris saying "oh yes, Asia Pacific, just send all the good stuff to Japan and whatever's left in the trunk to Australia". Which is understandable really, when you see the amount of exposed g-strings & bra straps in Castlereagh St).

So us Sydneysiders have to be far wilier than our Northern friends when it comes to incorporating trends (note the use of the word incorporate rather than follow):

Let's start with some of Style.com's top 10 trends. First off was 'heritage jewelry' - think Faberge, Nanna's animal brooches and loads of heavy colour and crystals at Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton. For this Summer and next Autumn, add some Chinatown crystal chic to your jacket lapel or crisp t-shirt. For something with less petroleum, try the Vintage Clothing Shop.

Next up: Mosaic madness. Patchwork leather bags and kaleidoscopic shoes peppered the runways of Marni, Fendi and co. In Sydney, wear Ked's mosaic slip-ons with your denims or tunic dress this Summer.

And finally: Bold & Painterly Floral. Sydney designer Sally Smith has a dress this season that nails this look. Or buy a bit of Liberty fabric (below) from Calico & Ivy and fashion a kerchief or cummerbund.

Gertrude and Alice

I spent a load the other day on Amazon, thinking that just because it was AMAZON and I was after second hand books, I'd automatically be saving. By the time my 'old' purchases were shipping, sure I had the texts but there wasn't much enjoyment. What I could have done instead was visit one of Sydney's favourite independent bookshops, Gertrude and Alice to search for older books across all literature categories - fiction, design, travel and biography, enjoy a momentary cultural status upgrade by visiting somewhere arthouse and unique and savour stewed fruit bircher, fresh corn tortilla wraps and strong coffee (served in delicate tea cups).

Such venturing on literature expeditions further than Dymocks or Borders delivers a pocket of second hand pages and gorgeous foodie atmosphere. A bohemian reprieve from it's neighbouring Thai restaurants and cheap fashion concepts, you can sit on the Hall Street bar stools and peer into the bookshop, or dare step inside for outside world loss amongst the shelves for many browsing hours.

While you're exploring the neighbourhood, check out Captain Billy's Crab Shack (click the Crab shack at Bondi Part 1) for integrity to the coolest skate apparel ranges and great bamboo / ol skool fitout - it's on Gould Street, just up from One Teaspoon where I've often chanced on unexpected leather shoe finds. Also, the Hall Street fruit and vegetables is a place for the rarely stocked yet impossibly healthy Quinoa (rice or cous cous substitute as faved by Brit dietician Dr Gillian McKeith). Enjoy.

All Kylie delivered

Loving a good business woman to capitalise on her strengths, we highly espouse Kylie's move this week into social networking online.

Alongside her recent DVD and leading into her (rumoured) world tour, the dot mobi enabled Kylie Konnect continues her multimedia exposure across all new technology, subculture, sound, fashion forms and guises.
It's far more savvy to be making online friends and influencing digital people than the only other so capable of reinvention - Madonna - chasing renewed significance via children's book and kabbalah rites.

Wait! There's more!

To continue our celebration of the summer of (music) love... tickets for the 2008 St Jerome's Laneway Festival have just gone on sale so hop to.

Headlining at Reiby Place (near the Basement) in Sydney next year are Feist, Clap your hands say yeah & The Presets.

The D the I the D the D the Y did it all go so wrong?

Happy to credit a fellow SJ where it's due, Sarah "sass" Jane Clarke from sass and bide comes to mind having ventured well with her recently launched lingerie and eyewear...

And P Diddy's Sean John label is normally clever, fashionable and achieves accolade hype for the models, styles and fabrics he sends down the runway.

However, Diddy has miserably erred with his new fragrance. No, I've not sampled the scent but now on high moral grounds, nor would I like to. The advertising campaign for Unforgivable Woman is purely offensive. The print and film components both appalling.

The poster has Puff slamming a disinterested woman against a wall. The commercial suggests he's only managed to wrangle her because she's so intoxicated - by champagne, certainly not his beguiling scent. Rookie error in story telling; unforgivable. Full stop.

New scene

The Oxford Art Factory opened earlier this year, occupying the cavernous space that was Central Station Records, and has already changed the face of the Sydney arts/music scene.

The venue is a 'three-tiered enterprise': The Gallery (installations, artiness etc), The Art after Dark Bar (for sustenance) and The Live Art Space (live act site).

Up on stage/pedestal soon (Nov 24th) is Ohmega Watts - a lovely hip-hop/funk lad.

It's also been whispered that numerous big name acts have conducted impromptu concerts here whilst touring in Aus. Oooh.

A venue dedicated to visual & performing arts, but with alcohol & dancing to boot - It bodes well for us provincials.

For the working week

During time abroad, I wondered why Australia didn't have the Pret A Manger chain of fast yet stylish and healthy food. The formula worked so well; catering to employees with more of a conscience than supporting Starbucks yet an urgency to get to business that means a wait time of negative minutes.

Here, a round of entrepreneurial applause for Santos - the Australian coffee, dried fruit and nut import company who have come up with a cool sandwich bar atmosphere serving a wide array of interesting breakfast, lunch and snack choices for Sydney city workers.

Providing a UK high street flavour to Clarence street and other CBD locations (albeit a game of where's the chain? - their website is down), the Clarence Street outpost I visited played cuban music and barista was an instant friend divine. Although the store a little dark and the coffee watery, the snackfood highlights hearkened to their food importing insight - showing off experience with organic pop corn, chocolate coated ginger and macadamia nuts and sesame seaweed rice crackers.

With all the Gloria Jeans, and ubiquitous CBD cafe competitors, sj + hat wish Santos all the best for this venture. To add to the mix, I hope someone else copies EAT : a rapidly expanding fresh fast and trendy chain.

However be warned - the stylish sandwich bar business model is a brave move - Pret website turn over roughly 150 million pounds a year and would like to make 9% profit but haven’t yet. They've been operating since 1986; Santos cafes for three years. We'll check back on profitability in another 21?

Sydney Festival frenzy: summer of (music) love

November could well be my favourite time of year. Gardenias, spectacular thunderstorms, Pimms & the release of the Sydney Festival tickets.

Fergus Linehan has rounded out his stint as director with serious aplomb. The Summer 07 spell of M. Ward, Lou Reed, Kaki King (to name a few) was hard to beat, but he's managed with the likes of Andrew Bird, The National, Clogs, Sufjan Stevens, Bjork and La Clique.

My personal recommendation is The National (hear a live sample via All Songs Considered podcast here). Alongside Arcade Fire, this is the best band to emerge in years and I love them. Speaking of Arcade Fire, look out for an announcement of their Sydney side shows this Summer. Oh, and Kings of Leon & Built to Spill in January - I am counting the sleeps.

Racers ready

Bondi's Beach Road drive through has unexpectedly come up with the sparkling wine goods. Or, I should say in singular, good. Because when I chanced upon a rogue bottle of 1995 special reserve Green Point Cuvee for a very attractive price I immediately requested to buy the remaining case. Alas, my lucky bottle was a one off – and so I now implore you all - keep a look out for this! 1995 vintage Green point Cuvee; in an elegant green champagne bottle with simple maroon strip and neck seal.

Green Point is the Australian owned vineyard of the French Moet and Chandon. I have been told by a leading wine retailer in the UK that Green Point “cava” as they call sparkling wine is the best sparkling option (before departing the market for a true champagne).

Beach Road had, I can only assume by mistake, priced this treat $29.98. Funnily enough, they decided to leave evidence of pricing indecision, leaving the older, more expensive stickers on- ranging right up to $69. To catch a 12 year old premium Australian sparkling wine owned and processed in the most revered champagne traditions, happy to be cellared for another few years, just as worthy yet half the price of your major French Champagnes? All I'm waiting for now is the occasion.

style et sweetness

First mentioned in our '10 best boutiques' post, Balmain style provedore Lola et Moi has now launched one of the sweetest websites that sj+hat has seen in a while.

Delights include Parisian Lollipops handbags with Sonia-Rykiel-style black embellishments, bespoke paper jewelery by Lyndie Dourthe (below), screen-printed antique handkerchief sets by Alice LeBlanc Laroche and a range of N2's whimsical brooches & earrings.

I couldn't resist the Mimilou hedgehog sticker, above.

Nor the N2 laundry brooch, below.

Carl Autumn/Winter 07

Very grown-up.

And I love the red wine print.
www.carl.net.au

And out of nowhere

By the recent spate of openings and parties at venues old turned new, we're beginning to wonder if Sydney event organisers have turned their backs on bars and restaurants...Is it because you're no longer allowed to smoke?

Veuve last week celebrated their bubbles at the cell block at the National Art School in Darlinghurst - the venue that started building party cred with the launch of the Levi's record label, Levity, back in July, and Good Charlotte played a secret gig in unusual choice of venue, the Paddington Town Hall.

One thing seems to run in common - an amazing use of lighting. Obviously Sydney's settler sandstone does wonders for modern day brand and endorsing celebrity complexions. As the weekend nears, I wonder - what will our favourite guilty pleasure, the Sunday S section, report as the latest off kilter venue?

Summer supply

Whilst sweltering in 40 degree heat & avoiding moonsoonal downpours, I have ruminated upon some tempting trappings for the coming months...

K. Jacques for the bees knees of sandals. Order online (but be prepared for shipping galore) or arrange a pair through Bloodorange.

Tahitian applique cushions from My Island Home.

Great $40 sundresses from Tree of Life (bypass the renaissance fair get-ups and zoom in on African block print smocks, such as this.)

Paris Mode for long-lasting and eternally chic tortoise shell hair combs and clips.

For table linen that makes a morning coffee more enjoyable, or a kerchief to wear with a white t-shirt this Summer, head to the QVB's Les Indiennes de Provence. They have a great range of Provencal textiles, including Les Olivades & Garnier Thiebaut.

Beautiful Boy

Three pretty boys, all in a row.

1. Emporio Armani have embellished the usual Autumn Winter wool and cashmere suspects with rows of sequins and applique detail. Well I never! Although now the Italians have spoken...I 'spose.

2. Listening up to Nonno Giorgio Beat Poet are in Sydney this week showing their "Ruins" collection. Clearly the Italian inspiration for metallics otherwise the sparkle bastion of women clearly trickling down under for silver tailored jeans as well = Rockstar. Come to think of it, the BP rings are very similar to Armani accessories too. Avante Garde Australian style of European prowess.

3. Seductive men's boutique Brera at 17 O'Connel Street have revised their Spring Summer suits for lighter shirting and new deliveries of Corlioni, Largerfeld and Armani. Year end bonus suit spend, anyone?

10 best 10 year celebrations

A nod to fellow tenners for our last 10x10 post:

1. Mecca Cosmetica. Congratulations to Jo Horgan who, with her husband, has mastered the retail business success story to create one of worlds great makeup destinations right in our own backyard. Her management of stores that provide a stunning range of beautiful, practical and indulgent cosmetics makes every girl feel that little bit extra special. Extend your congratulations and pop into http://www.meccacosmetica.com.au/. sj.

2. Ten years ago Luc Besson blessed us with The Fifth Element. With costumes by Jean Paul Gaultier, music by Eric Serra, the delicious presence of Gary Oldman and a cameo by Luke Perry, we had the movie of 1997. An sj + hat favourite. hat.

3. Good Food Month - as if socialising with fellow CBD mates on a warm spring eve, and cocktail + side dish temptations at Sydney's great bars and restaurants ain't incentive enough, it's the Good Food Months' 10th anniversary this year, celebrating chefs, cafes, restaurants, intelligent waters, growers markets, dinner parties, cocktails and the relaxed, creative style with which the Sydney hospitality and food industry stages it all. Enjoy. gfm.smh.com.au. sj.

4. Underwater Australia - the first, and unexpectedly warm week of October marked the tenth UW moment, "an occasional little email to bring the underwater world to your desktop". So when you're feeling for something a little deeper than the surface images of Aquabumps, visit http://www.underwateraustralia.com.au/ and their upcoming exhibition by Richard Vevers and Jayne Jenkins opening on the 21 November. sj.

5. The Boathouse on Blackwattle Bay. 10 years since Sydney foodie god Tony Papas and partner Robert Smallbone opened this lovely light-filled space, cutely adorned by Mambo man Dare Jennings' doodles. Spot the hottie rowers sliding into their sculls on the pontoon below, and drool with equal proportions over fish pie! What more could you ask for in a place? hat.

6. Centrelink. With the current debate raging over the federal intervention into the CDEP scheme in Indigenous communtities, the 10th birthday of Centrelink is particularly poignant. sj+hat.

7. The Sunday Magazine - entertaining the sunday morning latte set for a decade with ever improving fashion pages and restaurant reviews. They celebrated South Park (yah), Titanic (nah), John Galliano (yah), Mecca Cosmetica (see above), Teletubbies (pass), Prius (yah, but we'd prefer a Maserati), Harry Potter (yah), Blogs (yah yah yah), Hong Kong (hi to our friends working there) and Dolly the sheep (nah, we prefer stem cell research to cloning). sj.

8. Special 10 year's on RIP to Jeff Buckley, Notorious "Biggie" B.I.G, Jacques Yves Cousteau, Princess Di, Mother Theresa & Michael Hutchence. sj+hat.

9. BLOGS! Yes, it has been exactly 10 years since Jorn Barger "decided to start my own webpage logging the best stuff I find as I surf, on a daily basis." What a novel concept, and how far it has come! The date and author of the first blog is oft-debated, as you can imagine, but most settle upon Barger and his 'Robot Wisdom' weblog. See this Wall St Journal article for more detail, and interviews with social commentators ranging from Newt Gingrich to Tom Wolfe (his response to blogs, or what he terms 'narcissistic shrieks and baseless information', is hysterical.) hat.

10. And a flurry to finish: In June 1997 the first Harry Potter book was published (hence the start of my clandestine affair with a 11 year old and obsession in spotting Hogwarts staff lookalikes on the streets of Sydney); bird flu reared its ugly head for the first time in Hong Kong; the White Stripes got it together & the architecture-for-arts-sake Guggenheim Bilbao opened in October.

10 best architectural points of great Sydney interest

1. Sydney Opera House. Particularly now that Joerns original designs have finally been reinstated (sorry for running out of cash Mr Utzon!), this tribute to sails structure is as dramatic as the theatre contained within and truly an icon of what it means to live in Sydney.

2. Waverton waterfront walk. Unique, innovative and the most tranquil environmentally sympathetic harbour setting all the way from Mosman to Rose Bay, the Waverton waterfront revitalisation project, completed 2004, makes the cut for enjoying what local councils CAN achieve if they back the inspiration of landscape designers.

3. Louis Vuitton Sydney Flagship, corner King Street and Castlereagh - to prove that we really do have world class shopping. This snippet of Mr 14th is incredible to admire.

4. Renzo Piano for the beginning of a much more interesting CBD skyline. And the new Deutsche Building, closely thereafter.

5. Liverpool Street bridge, Paddington for public displays of affection, will you marry me calico signage and random installations

6. Harry Seidler’s Horizon apartment buildings, you know you’re in the east, when you’ve got million dollar apartments in a socially confronting front yard....

7. Watch this space - for a site that went for $66million, the Australian record in a commercial property transaction, it will be very interesting to see how this residential and retail development pans out and with whom. Reportedly Audi are in showroom negotiations.

8. Balmoral Rotunda – not so much architecture as public design, another iconic destination place setting secretly comfort to us all.

9. Multiplex’s Dupain – giving credit where it’s due (to one of our great photographers from his most celebrated “bondi” collection) it’s exciting to see a building I would have otherwise thought only Chicago or Seattle would have the courage to build - it’s sun shelters are planned to depict Dupain's famous bathers artwork.

10. Hyde Park Barracks. Mr Greenway's neoclassic arrangement still serving us style made modern by the City of Sydney lighting up the facade fuschia pink serving an outdoor bar that's pumping, a thrilling mix of the 1788 where we came from and what Sydney is today. PS - The 2008 Sydney Festival program will announced Nov.1

10 best emerging trends

1. We picked it, people. The colours for Spring 2008 are soft & pretty - Pantone (the 'global authority on colour' and provider of colour standards for design industries) has declared golden olive, pink mist, silver grey & canteloupe the hues du 2008, with a couple of stronger pigments such as freesia, snorkel blue & rococco red thrown in for contrast. hat.

2. Art and about after work and in between. The office trend now seems to be we're working longer, less productively. You've got to be careful wishing for a blackberry as gone are the days of a tidy 8:30am to five. Work is now so ubiquitous that there's all the reason to indulge your out of office passions more wholeheartedly so that you definitely feel you've had a break. Make that extra time for enjoying a champagne before going to the theatre, engage in public festivals like Good Food Month, in debate at the City of Sydney City Talks, and admire artistic regentrification to urban areas previously unannounced at Live Lanes because there is so much more to life than the fx button in Excel. sj.

3. The 90s is back. Yes, we only just clambered out of it, but as Dan Pinch of trend company PSFK explains "As the kids of the 80s are increasingly distracted making families and paying off mortgages I guess it makes sense that the kids of the 90s (now in their twenties) are in control of youth culture." That's us, sj! We're finally grown-up and able to use the remote! He sites rave culture & doc martens as hot tickets for the coming year, but I would add a big nod to Giorgio Armani circa 1995 (seen above): layered shirts, vests and jackets; grungy tights; berets & a long-fringed, cropped hair-do a la Anja Rubik. hat.

4. Owls. First noticing Owl (yes, as in the animal) imagery appear on an invitation held at the tres cool China Heights art space, these night creatures seem to be popping up everywhere - as enormous embellished necklace pendants at Shona Joy, kitsch vintage earrings in various markets and gorgeously cute soft toys at Incu. How very wise. sj.

5. The continued emergence of affordable boutique hotels & spas. Every hotel these days seems to attach the word 'spa' to its title and feed off the growing band of professional stress-pots who require coconut & palm sugar body scrubs when travelling. I am 100% skeptical of the spa trend, despite a penchant for head massages, as it is, at best, tokenism and at worst, a hygiene nightmare. However, it's understandable that everyone wants a micro-hotel with a difference these days (no more peach faux marble bathrooms & tatty terry towling robes, thanks Sheraton) hence the emergence of sites such as Unique Places to Stay. hat.

6. Facebook indulgence. Increasingly we do not engage with Facebook, merely login to check for any emails or notifications and once satisfied that indeed we are still popular, rudely lack the energy to reply, and yet continue to log on the following day just in case someone else has said hi. Considering sj + hat was originally conceived as a modern day style guide to contemporary etiquette, if someone writes to you, (no pokes do not count) then damn well take the two seconds already gone from your work hours to respond! sj.

7. Outdoor weddings and celebrants instead of priests. OK, so this trend has been making its mark for some time now, moving into this 'stage' it's interesting to note that although St James Church is a favourite Sydney destination of both sj + hat, it seems the chic outdoor setting is being favoured for weddings rather than betwixt stained glass windows. So much so that favoured celebrants in the 2 thousands are what celebrity baby catchers were back in the 80's hey day. Regardless of whether you're even partnered, it's probably time you booked with your favoured celebrant just so you get the one that you want? sj.

8. A return to one-pot cooking? After a ten year stint of sword fish fillets, relish/aioli & salad (or, to put it plainly, meat and three veg), I am crystal-ball gazing into the kitchens of chefs and home-cooks alike and seeing the Le Creuset getting a work-out. Irish stew, Burmese chicken curry, tagines and le Puy lentils with ham hock: they all involve one pot and a lot of warming of cockles. hat.

9. The demise of fine dining. Not deserving “best trend” status as a very public funeral – but our fancy places are closing! With Oh Calcutta, Omega already gone, now Rockpool shuts on October 20 replacing it’s degustation menu with $19 seafood cafe options. To the masses of Sydney– stop wasting your money on beer and pokies and support your bespoke food industry instead. sj.

10. Metallic. Enough of sj social cynicism, let's stick to fashion. This summer, think 70's flower child embellished with metallic yarns, beads, and platform wedge sandals instead of the cottons and daisies of hippies yesteryear. Same music (only prefixed with a "The"), same ideals (still trying to bring the troops home), just different fabric. sj.

10 best Sydney shots

Sydney sandstone; Bourke St Bakery; Signature prints wallpaper & a flat white at Fratelli Paradiso; Sydney artist Robyn Stacey's Beau Monde photograph (timely, what with all those moths about at the moment) and Des Miller at the Hopetoun.

10 best Sydney shots cont...by sj

The famous cheese room at a fellow SJ, the annual Sculptures by the Sea exhibition, $9 monday movie nights at Dendy Opera Quay, hours at the incredible Ariel books and coastal bushwalks ... now that's an SJ kind of Sydney.

10 best/coolest/most interesting & creative websites

1. National Public Radio for an astounding array of podcasts, including the life-changing All Songs Considered.

2. Fashion bargain staple magazine Shop Till You Drop launched online this week - an innovative foray into e-boutiques. Like and InStyle but on the internet, actual stores have leased space within this site to merchandise (more than just commerce) their wares to online consumers. The tipping point of new net styles of retailing? We think so.

3. How Stuff Works. Self-explanatory and ultra interesting.

4. Refinery 29. Style spotting, designer updates and a lovely online store.

5. Feltron. One of the prettiest websites around, and a good example of contemporary graphic design (at left).

6. Kiosk. A roaming stand/store with a pantry-full of delightful bits. Visit the site and you'll understand.

7. Epicurious. Find that elusive recipe for Afghan biscuits (perhaps we should rename those?) and join forums to discuss the relative virtues of baking powder and bi-carb soda.

8. Arts Journal. For those in need of a break from channel E! .

9. McSweeneys for truly inspirational, often hilarious and always clever copy writing example of the best use of the english language. If only we all thought, spoke and wrote like this.

10. Two Thousand / Three Thousand. These Thousand kids' attempt to capture Sydney and Melbourne's sub-culture is pretty spot-on. Based on the concept that the 'best things in life are often hard to find'. Too true, with the exception of hipster websites. (header shown above)

10 best international experiences on our doorstep

1. New York City: Bagel House, Balmain. Previously a late-night Taylor Square haunt, the Bagel House has been around for yonks and is owned and run by a friendly Noo Yorker. My pick is a fresh dill bagel with a lox schmear (that translates as smoked salmon, cream cheese and herbs). When toasted, it melts all over your fingers and truly hits the spot when hungover. hat.

2. India: Catch the latest import Bollywood film at Cinema Paris, Fox Studios (see 2007 Bollywood Indian Film Festival details here) and then dine Mumbai street food style on pani puri at Maya Da Dhaba restaurant, Surry Hills. sj

3. Portugal: the Sydney Portugal Community club, Marrickville. A hard place to find (decent directions found in link) but after crossing a soccer field, winding your way down a hallway and opening an unmarked door, you've reached Portuguese cuisine heaven. Huge platter of grilled seafood for next-to-nothing, cod croquettes, olives, mushrooms in wine & chicken and chorizo clay pots. The best multicultural foray I've ever had in Sydney. hat.

4. London: Pretend you're at the V&A or Natural History Museum at the Art Gallery of NSW's Art After Hours, from 6-9pm on Wednesday evenings for lectures, exhibitions and jazz bands. sj. And pop into David met Nicole, for some seriously pint and guiness pie fashions, trinkets and gifts (as above).

5. Germany: Maggie's, Potts Point. Aah, Maggie's. The hold you've got on me. And I don't even like sausage. From the team behind old favourite Una's, Maggie's is the most pleasant German experience you could have. Basic, hearty schnitzel & rosti combos, a good range of beer, strudel or crepes to finish and a whole lot of leiderhosen chic. hat.

6. Scandinavia: No, not Ikea. Try Anibou and Beautiful on the Inside, Surry Hills or Scandinavium, Darlinghurst, instead. hat.

7. Lebanon: Authenticate your Sydney kebab experience with a trip to Summerland restaurant, Chapel St Bankstown for apple tobacco hookahs, belly dancers, incredible hummous and babbaganoush dips. sj

8. Japan: the best range of magazines, stationery & books at Kinokuniya, Manga madness from The Cartoon Gallery, Pitt St and French/Japanese fusion desserts from ChouChou (Shop 4/F14 Hunter Connection, 7-13 Hunter Street Sydney). Take a date to Wasavi, Paddo, and you'll feel as cool as Uran (Astro Boy's cyberkinetic sister). hat.

9. China: We all know the sezchuan delights of Golden C etc, but Chinatown's best kept secret is Uighur- Islamic Chinese cuisine from the Steppes. Lamb and cumin kebabs, cucumber & garlic salad, dumplings and plum wine. All ridiculously cheap. hat.

10. Crossing over between the aforementioned NYC and Japan, o-ii-shi is a bi monthly hip hop jam – a club night that has made a resurgence of late, from its former Dendy Martin Place days... Step inside the Gaelic Club as though it’s the dopest place in the bronx frequented by the best street thread dressed uber cool dudes from Tokyo. The night complete with it's always stellar line up of local DJ’s and international acts. Word. sj

10 best on-hand foods for a foodie

1. Caper berries – stylish with their voluptuous pods and long skinny stem, these salty vegetarian surprises are great to include in salads, key ingredient in ‘grass clipping pasta’ of parsley, pepper, olive oil and as many herbs you have growing in your garden and an essential inclusion in salsa verde for over any meat dish. sj.

2. Ricotta – sweet or savoury, this white Italian cheese is much less evil than French dairy yellow cousins and so much more versatile. Bake it with spices for a savoury slice, drizzle it with honey smeared on banana bread, have for lunch at work for extra protein so you’re not starving by 4pm or do as Bills do and serve it with scrambled eggs. sj.

3. Fish sauce, mirin, sesame oil & light citrus soy. This covers you for a lot of Asian cooking, and also makes a nice dressing for steamed greens. hat.

4. Keep extra cocoa dark chocolate, high quality loose leaf tea and you’ll never need for a desert again. sj.

5. Fried shallots. Available from some supermarkets and most Asian delis. They keep forever (in the fridge) and are the perfect last touch for Burmese or other South East Asian curries and laksas. hat.

6. Verjuice. Superior to vinegar. Explore its tart wonders in dressings and sauces. Maggie Beer's is best. hat.

7. Pepperoncini from Simon Johnson. Baby peppers (as in capsicums) stuffed with tuna and anchovies and kept in extra virgin olive oil. Throw into salads or pasta, or better yet, eat them on their own or as one of the 3 veg with your steak. The most decadent pantry filler you could have. hat.

8. Pickled pink peppercorns. Not just for the tongue twister tease but for their strong pepper flavour that brings anything to life – my favourite? Peppercorns on soft-boiled eggs (still in shell, pre soldiers) for breakfast. sj.

9. A loaf of sourdough bread from an artisan bakery. Infinity (Kings Cross), Sonoma (Glebe), and St Honore (North Sydney) are great. sj.

10. Maesri red or green curry paste. Heat up with a bit of cooking oil until fragrant, and then add chopped chicken; throw around until brown and then add coconut milk and whatever veggies are around. Easier than heating up a Lean Cuisine. hat.

10 best boutiques to buy something that you'll never throw out

1. Frock Exchange Clovelly & Balmain - the only financially feasible way I could own my Issa, Missoni, Mui Mui & Rupert Sanderson items. hat.

2. Hunt Leather. How could you ever throw out a watermelon Longchamp tote? Or indeed an Il Bisonte satchel. hat.

3. Ralph Lauren, QVB. I know a bit of an obsession lately but it is their 40th anniversary this year and in almost 10 years of wearing (3 religiously) I’ve never had to nor will ever want to throw a RL piece out. Similarly, invest (it’s true as they say!) in a great white shirt, as many black trousers as you can find that make you feel fabulous. sj.

4. Markets. Meeting the designers behind a garment make them that much harder to part with. Hope Street Markets (on this long weekend) has a sweet range of designers and funds raised go towards the charity Hopestreet - Urban Compassion. hat.

5. Circa, Melbourne or the Vintage Clothing Shop, Sydney. No tat, only fascinating & beautiful pieces from across the decades. hat.

6. Attic. The sister store of Potts Point's Arida, Attic stocks Proenza Schouler (I am as obsessed as sj is with RL), Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, See by Chloe, Lanvin and a range of the coolest colourful leather ballet slippers & loafers. hat.

7. Lola et Moi, Darling St Balmain. This lives up to the word 'boutique', stocking a range of exquisite bits and bobs - the focus is on 'small artists who use old techniques to create innovative products.' Particularly perfect for a fantastic, whimsical piece of jewelry.

8. The Met Museum Store, QVB, Sydney. Not exactly unique, but a great range of refined pieces of jewelry, inspired by the best of Eastern and Western civilisation. I've owned a brooch and pair of earrings from the Met for over 10 years & they're still looking sharp. hat (and her friend Micki).

9. Christine, Melbourne. Melbourne takes the prize here for hands down best accessories store in Aus. Christine is a true emporium of style (Anya Hindmarch, Pucci, Missoni, Sonia Rykiel), with excellent non-snob service to boot. hat.

10. Blood Orange: I know I'm officially harping now, but why shouldn't I when you can get APC sunnies, Youth World party dresses and classic shirts by Ian Nessing all in the one place?

10 best Saturday afternoon excursions

1. Be charmed by the colonial rock carvings at Callan Park - hat

3. A visit to Eckersley's for supplies (brush tip textas in brilliant colours, ribbons, and then home to personally make a thankyou card for your dinner party host that evening (or better yet, create your own invites and place settings for the fortnight after that) - sj

4. Lunch at Pizza y Birra followed by a perusal of Orson and Blake - sj

5. Hamburger and a milkshake at Freshie - sj

2. Caroline Simpson library at the Mint - house, garden and interior design library with amazing textile samples and books in an award winning designed space - hat (eek. it's actually closed on Saturdays but worth a mention anyway, for a midweek lunch break visit).

6. Signature Spice I am fish fritters followed by a stroll around the design precinct of Surry Hills- hat

7. Lazy laps of Centennial Park on your cycle, roller blades or with your dog - sj (and revisit the bike track by the pine forest and be awestruck by how small it seems now ... follow with a walk down Queen St antique shops & Simon Johnson and dinner at the all-time classic Bistro Moncur. - hat)

8. An arthouse matinee at Dendy Opera Quays followed by sunset drinks at Opera Bar- sj

9. Sullivan + Strumpf gallery - because they use a + like us and the art is always fantastic - hat

10. Drive down South to the Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and visit Bundeena, part of the Royal National Park, on the way back. -hat

10 best drinks for a Sydney Spring or Summer

1. Ginger, lemongrass, mint & coriander iced tea: Steep some good quality black tea bags along with grated ginger, a stick of pre-bashed lemongrass and sprigs of mint and coriander in just-boiled water and then leave to cool in the fridge. Freeze lime juice in ice cube trays and add to the tea when it's cold. Add another sprig of mint to serve and, if you're feeling too healthy at this point, some gin/tequila/triple sec or rum. By hat.

2. Beach beers – enjoy a Bluetongue at the Bondi grassy knoll to rekindle the fine art of the Australian esky followed by the 380 home. By sj.

3. Revel in nostalgia/irony by grabbing a Strongbow cider from the bottle-o before heading out to dinner or a gig - preferably drink whilst still in the paper-bag somewhere urban for full effect. By hat.

4. Gin and Tonics with something more interesting than Gordons. Take the time to have a chat to whomever runs your local cellar and see what they’ve got available. Certainly it will be more expensive, however the new friendship and the satisfaction every time you glance at your precious, more considered bottle makes it well worthwhile. A slice and a squeeze of lemon. This drink is so rewarding when crafted perfectly that the rumours that Gin is a depressant have to be false. By sj.

5. MoMo Pinot Noir 2004. Velvety, plummy, light and perfect at a slightly-less-than-room-temperature at sundown. As sj says, let’s kill the white wine spritzer once and for all. By hat.

6. Create your own cocktail. Yes, go on – make it up. Last time I had had a few wines and a lot of leftover coffee granita shards (simply poured leftover plunger coffee onto a glad wrap lined tray, left it in the freezer until I was so drunk that I didn’t mind drinking Baileys and wallah! The “ird” was created as in “have you ‘ird” – a baileys poured over geometric planes of frozen coffee and enjoyed alongside a crème brulee desert. By sj.

7. Trimbach Gewurztraminer, any vintage - the most enjoyable wine you could ever have during warm weather. A bouquet of flowers & spice. And you can feel special knowing it hails from Alsace rather than a few hours up the F3 freeway. By hat.

8. Freshly squeezed juice blended with heaps and heaps of ice. By sj. (invest in a Kitchenaid blender for such exercises - hat).

9. Cascabel Tipico 2004 - a South Australian and Madrilena couple resurrecting the best of Spanish varietals in McLaren Vale. Tipico is a blend of Grenache, Monastrell & Shiraz and is perfect for rare bbq'd tuna steaks & tomato salads. By hat.

10. Espresso, sugar syrup and a dash of milk. Use an espresso machine if you're lucky or strong plunger is fine (as long as the beans are good). Dissolve some raw sugar in a small amount of boiled water and combine with the coffee shot. Cool in the fridge, add a multitude of ice cubes and a dash of chilled milk. Basically the superior person's iced coffee. By hat.

sj + hat + 10 x 10 = 100

Confused?

This is sj + hat's 100th post, and whilst it in itself may not seem so interesting, its purpose is to launch a series of 10 'best' lists over 10 days.

The categories will amaze you, the suggestions will astound you, and our prose may well irritate you.

But enjoy.

Andy Warhol's 100 cans, at right.

Tues (Spring 08 fashion) tid-bits

Having read nearly all the round-ups of NY Fashion week, I am struggling to summon any more Spring 08 trends: my new theory (which I realise isn't particularly illuminating) is that there are always so many bloody trends that you could well wear just about anything from your 1980-2007 cupboard and fit into one of them. But, like art, you can't be reduced to the "my 5 year old could have done that" no matter how tempting, so I'll persevere and note just one more of the strongest (and my favourite) of the week's tendances (as Fashion TV would say - but then again, they don't speak English):
The long, loose blazer. Yes, I loved them. A perfect foil to the trapeze coat of late.The best boil-downs/pick-aparts (apart from ours) of the week's shows would be from Nylon and Cathy Horyn of the NY Times - her insightful view on Marc Jacob's 'challenging' show (below), and her readers' passionate discussions on the 'new female sexuality' are a good read.

Pastel picking

Whilst surrounded by the dusty reds and dry browns and greens of the Australian outback landscape, sj + hat concurred that the next colours to be 'it' would have to be pastels.

Watching the Spring '08 Spring Collection catwalk by Ralph Lauren, the strength of pastel, musk pink proves our point.

Based on the RL runway, we'll be seeing pops of canary yellow, soft lilac purple, sage green, baby blue and candy pink in the Witchery and Country Roads at the height of summer. I.E think licorice allsorts for your Christmas and New Year dressing. Within six months, all those knock off fashion stores which line pedestrian tunnels to City Rail stations will lose their current greys and purples to make way for a much softer pastel palette.

Dress with caution, too much pastel is always OTT - I personally think the 'resort' model is best; lots of white and a great, dark tan to bring out the colour in key pieces, rather than top to toe in a multicoloured foray into soft shades.

(some) colour comes to town

sj + hat first heard of the simple genius of New York label United Bamboo (at right) through the stylish Sydney-adopted rady Emma Japan.
Their NYC show yesterday was disarmingly sweet, if a little predictable, and its palette of pale gold and grey was echoed in Peter Som's somewhat matronly line.

Michael Kors (left) gets the prize for being the only designer to touch pink this season (as well as purple, lime, gold, orange & yellow - that man has bucked my trend!).
I find the term 'American classic' to be oxymoronical but Kors did produce some hot bikinis & a couple of appealing dresses.

Tuleh have also ruined my claim to monochrom-ism for Spring, by presenting a lolly bag of a show. I loved the get-up below, but it was a mixed bag (lolly or not) in terms of design.

Alice, Toni, Ralph & the Mulleavy sisters

The subtleties continue.
Temperley (right) presented some heavenly Hampton-wear in sophisticated hues ranging from inky black to eucalypt green. The signature Temperley use of 1920s silhouette and embellishment proved perfect in this show.
Toni Maticevski ditched the deconstruction for a series of well-developed, delicate designs, the highlight of which was this incredible dress:
Ralph Lauren was all cinematic day-at-the-races meets Julia Roberts on Rodeo Drive circa 1990 and made cool customers like Jacquetta Wheeler look slightly ridiculous. I love ruffles and florals but a lot of these missed the mark.
And then there was the dynamic duo that is Rodarte. Inspired by Japan, the sisters presented a fun bunch of manga-like creations, as seen below.

Proenza & Preen

Day three and the colour trend is verging on a lack thereof. Proenza Schouler (left) have, once again, stuck to black and white, bulked up by brocade, fringes, stripes and a splash of chartreuse & gold. Still an emphasis on cinching and suits, but with kimono shapes and more of a street, rather than stately, appeal.

British label Preen (right) took the prize for hotte: seriously slinky shirts, jumpsuits and anoraks, and binding cocktail dresses in periwinkle and grey.

News of hues from NY

New York Fashion Week, day one, and it's goodbye to neon. A swathe of soft steely blues and gunmetal greys were sent down the runways of Carlos Miele, ADAM (formerly Adam + Eve), Karen Walker, Alexander Wang, Thakoon (at right), Jeremy Laing and Erin Fetherstone. The latter two were positively icy. Inspirations ranged from the Northern Lights to Miami deco and Morris Louis.

Secondary palettes of pale yellow (Karen Walker) and khaki (Vera Wang) also featured.

After a few seasons of brights & metallics (that have only recently reached our shores and stores!), there seems to be a return to undefinable hues and more complex colour compositions.

Other observations tomorrow...

We're back...with Thursday tid-bits

(because we all know you've been hanging out since Tuesday...)
London's Design Museum has a series of online digital galleries to peruse, including 'Web Wizards' and 'Jonathan Ive on Apple Design' for our aesthetic nerd readership (that possibly accounts for all our traffic). 1998 Apple iMac shown below.
And here is a way to potentially saturate Sydney's suburbs with art (without local council wrangling). Austin Texas resident Laurence Miller has created 'Testsite' in his living room. The space is filled by invited curators/installationists etc. "I do a lot of re-painting" says Miller. And making coffee, I presume.
Feel politically informed (& culturally superior) by reading Hendrick Hertzberg's New Yorker blog.
And then numb the brain with fashion juggernaut Tiffany Dubin's Style.com lookbook. Dubin does the trawling for you, and selects the best of Spring and Fall. Rag & Bone Spring 07 at right.

Aborginal art adventure

sj + hat are off to the Northern Territory for the Peppimenarti Community open day (plus some Darwin touring for sj) where there'll be no internet and thus no sj+hat, so you'll have to amuse yourselves by gazing at these images of the beautiful art that is produced there until we return.


...and then come along and see them in the flesh at Chalkhorse Gallery, 56 Cooper St Surry Hills, on Thursday 6th September (6-8pm) until 22nd September.

Neighbourhood nosh

There's always one (or two if you're lucky) in every suburb: the fail-safe local where the menu rarely changes and the tables are packed on a school night. Take Samurai Japanese Cafe in Balmain, for example. I have been turned away from it twice in the last two weeks due to my idiotic presumption that it would cater for my Tuesday night miso whim without a booking. It's a virtual hole in the wall! With nothing fancy to offer! But the food is always good and perfectly priced. And leaves the dozens of surrounding joints for dead (literally: there was no one at the Indian place next door). When you start to think about the ridiculous amount of terrible restaurants and cafes in Sydney, you have to take your (chef) hat off to the fail-safes.

Other examples, please?

Second wardrobe

I can barely manage my third drawer down designated for 'long sleeved items', so god forbid I ever sign up to Second Life and take on another wardrobe (as well as new skin & hair to manage). Style has become big business in SL. JC Report told me today that style consultants are running amok, led (of course) by L'Oreal's Isabella Sampaio (I can't tell if she is a real person or not - very disconcerting).
More unnerving, however, is the existence of style sites and blogs dedicated to SL fashion & beauty. Second Style, a magazine you can buy 'in-world' has its own website and blog. Everything looks like a normal blog, except it's all about fashion that only exists in pixels.
Or does it? H&M are one of the many companies with a presence in SL, and they reproduce their actual seasonal lines. Spot the difference between these two dresses...

I think it's all a hoot, but could they at least make the fashion decent? H&M etc aside, if you have a look at the 'style' blogs, the model avatars all resemble the girls of the playboy mansion dressed like Bai Ling. If the whole thing's about creating a version of yourself that is bigger and better, then I'd want Proenza Schouler outfits on every day.

Anyone out there (fess up) got an avatar with style?

Gourmet burgers

Plural for the fact burgers seem THE upcoming summer snack.

Out and about in Surry Hills I noticed Burger Bar (118 Devonshire Street). Judging by their eager middle aged man (over) managing the orders, the kitchen, the waiters and everything in between, they seem to have only recently opened yet already deliver a strong and confident kitchen serving yummy burgers with a gourmet twist (I like the option for hummus as well as your normal cheese). They've somehow managed to get a licence so it's not just take away meat and salad in bread but a place you can sit down with a beer or glass of wine. Not the type of location you'd venture to except maybe pre Gaelic gig, this place is on it's way to making Sydney more devout for burgers it just needs to relax a little. After all, we're dealing with burgers here - the lunch that dribbles juice and sauce alllll over your hands.

Two of my favourite burger places are

1. Probably the world's best burgers" says the man who introduced me to Bluefish cafe in Waverley, a place that at first seems confused - a fry up run by a French couple, yet their coleslaw, perch fillets and free french 'tude dosen't spoil a single sesame seed.

2. Tried and tested burger destination fave is the kiosk at Freshie (with a side of vanilla malt milkshake, thanks). Or your own home BBQ creation...

So when you're needing a bun, a pattie, and an aussie pineapple and beetroot addition or two, where do you go for your burgers?

Wood wonders

Design + Wood, organised by the Wood Worker's Association of NSW, is currently on at 2 Danks St, Waterloo (until this Saturday). Amazing pieces, made more so by my wood-working father's in depth descriptions and deconstructions of 'bread-board ends' and the like.
The most covetable item was definitely Philip Gould's bookshelfcoffeetablebench, seen below in American oak. The name says it all. Although in this image you can't quite see how narrow and compact it actually is: certainly the most versatile (and elegant) piece of furniture I've ever seen.
Ian Factor's cabinets, top right, were functional and fun.
Terry Gleeson's work wasn't exhibited but I couldn't resist uploading his silver ash dropside table with silver inlay.

Tuesday tid-bits

Kimbooktu. Talk about a librarian's delight: a Dutch blog dedicated to 'gadgets for book lovers.' Such as Tangram book cases, right.

Hammerpress for letterpress madness. Buy a beautiful band poster, like this:


Chic City Rats for stylish objets du jour, like this golf chair from ETC Creations.

Bloodorange boost

It's that magical time of year: blood orange season. Juice them, slice them into campari or a salad.
Or...visit their Elizabeth Bay boutique namesake. Bloodorange (35 Elizabeth Bay Rd, Elizabeth Bay) has fast become known as the most selective of fashion boutiques. Owners Olivia Beynon and Loren Abood are fastidious buyers, and have collated a selection of perfectly understated and charming apparel from A.P.C, Claude Pierlot, Youth World, Rittenhouse, Laurence Pasquier, Lyell and Lover.

The Fall season of A.P.C is now in store and most pieces are under $300 - not bad for your 'it' dress for the season - and a good weight for our Spring.

Meow (says the home theatre system) and neigh (says the lamp)

Just to recap, we're over giant pots thanks Phillipe + not quite in first class lounges yet Marc. The stockmarket just crashed so although brands are desperately important to us, we're hearkening back to function, design and quality rather than names for their status sake.

Cue DECA by Marcel Wanders. A wireless home theatre and sound system by a Dutch designer not as obscure as you first may think. Marcel Wanders is the designer of perhaps the worlds most uber tent - a new outdoor camping range for Puma about to be launched in Melbourne and Sydney's Puma concept stores and if you've noticed the amazing horse lamp in the new Will and Toby's at Taylor Square, then that's Mr Wanders too. Rumour has it W + T spent over $3 million on their fit out.... the good news about MW's range of consumer electronics is that it's Bose and Bang and Olufsen design at "correction friendly" prices.

You can pick up this feline of an integrated home cinema set including speakers sub and DVD player for $1500 and the egg wireless speakers are only $399 yet muster every cent you invest to deliver a180 degree sound anywhere you want as they are round and they are wireless. Second interest rate rise? pfft. I'll be dancing around my living room while watching SATC reruns on my microwave. Yes, the range also features a microwave with a TV screen and DVD player. Subprime lending may collapse but creativity lives!

T time

Hunting for t-shirts for a boyfriend's birthday has proven more difficult than expected. I am suffering from screen print fatigue. Far too many guns and sign-posts and irony than is healthy. But there are a few standout gems amongst the slogan madness:
Barking Irons for American history lessons on cotton (seen below). And they're hosting a Kings of Leon t-shirt design competition.
Santa Muerte for fantastically OTT Mexican Day of the Dead imagery.
Amsterdam's Wolf and Pack (not be confused with bands Wolf n' Cub or Wolf Mother) for pretty gun imagery.
Das Monk for homegrown graphics (see below).
GoodShapeDesign for simple geometry (and Andy Warhol).
Or Zazzle & Etsy for a multitude of different designers (including cute monster design above right). And if all else fails, go to Foghorn to do-it-yourself.

Rewind (with your finger)

The nostalgia for all things 80s (and, let's face it, early to mid 90s) has reached fever point. Just look at Facebook and all the Dark Crystal, Police Quest, 90210 & City of Gold references/groups.
But surely the most sentimental of all 80s and 90s ephemera is the cassette. Those magical vessels of music could be thrown from cars, chewed up by dogs and piled up in a heap... and yet the dulcet tones of Talking Heads would still emerge. Cds were pathetic, neurotic beings in comparison.
So it's no wonder that they survive - both in police interview rooms and as re-styled accessories. See this great Design Boom article on the cassettes rise and re-rise, and a littany of examples, including the ultimate Madonna coin purse. Or for the serious devotee, here's an article on how to convert to mp3 (isn't that missing the point?), recycle or fashion into toys.

Tuesday tid-bits

From now on Tuesday is the dedicated day for bower-bird blog finds. First up is Your Daily Awesome - an engaging collation of fascinating photos & titillating tid-bits. Author Chas Bowie aims to 'curate the most fascinating and beautiful human efforts into one simple website, one day at a time.' Swedish street knitters, at right, are a good example.
Golly. Makes our aspirations of 'scoop' seem somewhat shallow...

Then there's Busy Being: LA online shop/gallery of 'houseware, apparel, books/zines', including the super cute, limited edition travel bag, below.

And for something more personal, check out Hoping for Happy Accidents - a scarily stylish woman's musings upon all things, well, stylish.

Australia gets American Apparel

As previously hinted, the Australian American Apparel online store is now open for business.

Just in time for Summer: cotton t-shirt dresses, tanks and trunks. As well as their ubiquitous, hysterical terry-towling bodysuits and silver lycra leotards.

Free shipping for orders over $100 so get a syndicate going.

The beauty kilometre

Bemoaned was the loss of Bistro Lulu to stupidly high rent and diminishing crowds as Westfield Bondi “just because Frank lives nearby” Junction looked set to usurp Sydney’s loyal Oxford Street ambling. Until now.

Oxford Street has survived the Mall. And like a glycolic peel, a new surface is glowing post a painful acid phase. With next week’s official store opening of Glamorous between Taylor Square and the Queen Street intersection, there are no less than 10 dedicated beauty and makeup boutique destinations;

1. Model Co
2. Aveda
3. Aesop
4. Napoleon
5. Mecca
6. Mac
7. Khiels
8. Make Up Store
9. Venustus
10. Glamorous

And that’s just beauty stores – there are at least a dozen more inclusions should you add Asian nail salons, and the rock star blowdrys on offer from hairdressers like Atlantis.

Just when you thinking all this beauty could be getting superficial, it seems there’s a Darlinghurst brains market for Paddington beauty as seen by “book corner” down near COFA where there is Berkelouw, Ariel and two others I cant at this moment remember the name of… It makes me wonder if Gertrude is planning to suggest to Alice that they hang out in Darlinghurst as well. Or maybe the thought will cross them when they next need to resupply hand cream.

We need to talk about Soy

There’s an argument for, a good case against, and a multitude of opinions in between. Soy milk must be one of the most hotly debated foods around. For an alternative to dairy some say it is ideal because the human body finds it easier to digest. Japanese women seem remarkable at staving off menopause due to a diet rich in soy. However drinking soy milk in Australia comes with the risk of opting in to ingredients you’d be shocked to think you were drinking. Maltodextrin, corn syrup, added sugar, added salt, preservatives and phosphates… be careful to study the packaging and try and drink only organic, non genetically modified soy milk that is made only from soy beans and added water.

PS from Hat:
yes, yes I harp on about animal welfare a lot but here goes again... see here for a run-down on the dairy industry and why it's not all plaited milk maids and cow bells...
My suggestion? Find and support a small dairy producer who you know and trust, or switch to soy (not easy...coffee is never the same again).

Update: Official word from the Organic Federation of Australia:

ORGANIC DIET IMPROVES QUALITY OF BREAST MILK

“Scientific studies show consuming organic milk and meat improves the health qualities of nursing mothers’ breast milk,“ says Organic Federation of Australia Chairman, Andre Leu.

"European scientists have found that mothers that consumed mostly organic meat and milk have around 50 percent higher levels of rumenic acid in their breast milk. This acid protects against cancer and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, heart disease and asthma.

The study, published this year in the British Journal of Nutrition, offers incontrovertible proof that there are significant health benefits in consuming organic food, especially for nursing mothers and their children.

“This study confirms earlier research by the Danish Institute of Agricultural Research and the University of Newcastle showing that cows raised on an organic diet produced milk with 50% more Vitamin E and 75% more beta carotene than conventionally farmed cows. The organic milk has two to three times more zeaxanthine and lutein, which are powerful antioxidants. Higher levels of omega 3 essential fatty acids, that provide protection from heart and other diseases, are also found in organic milk,” explains Leu.

Sporty and Smart

Although the new Country Road catalogue is super slick and seemingly Balenciaga-inspired, I still yearn for the old days of reliably preppy CR apparel; you know, bottle green slacks, a crisp white shirt and some lace-up brogues. As successful as the CR reinvention has been, all we really gained was another (albeit smarter) Witchery.
So it's lovely to see a heritage Aussie fashion label retaining its legacy and throwing in some sex appeal to boot. I speak of Sportscraft (never to be confused with Sportsgirl), founded in 1914. Having a mother that always insisted upon buying Sportscraft basics gave the brand a certain staid quality for me, until I noticed its Winter 2007 ad campaign, replete with an effortlessly chic couple and European styling. The models' smug faces seemed to be saying "Sportscraft is sexy, didn't you know?" from the back of every bus in Sydney.

And their Spring/Summer 2007/08 line is just as lovely. Kristy Hinze manages to evoke coastal chic far better than DJs 'South of France' attempt.

So hoorah for a brand that does something simply and well - without runway knock-offs - to fill the need for (shock horror) things we will actually wear year in, year out.

Snugglepot was here

From the Workshopped exhibition opening tonight, my favourite was this night light evoking such nostalgic fancy and memories of May Gibbs alongside practical modern illuminate function.

Check it out www.workshopped.com.au

on for the next week or so at the QVB and Powerhouse museum.

Merci Madeline

Occasionally Daily Candy throws up some little gems and today it was Parisian label Heimstone - a line of clothing inspired by the filles of Ludwig Bemelman's Madeline books. Two straight lines? Miss Clavel? Ring a bell? Designers Alix Petit and Delphine Delafon (hello! (or bonjour!) with names like those, they could have done anything and I'd take note) have adopted school tunics, pea coats & stockings to great effect. But what about the boater hat?
Available online at Satine Boutique.
Officier dress at right.

I love NY/OZ

Whilst breakfasting at Zinc on Saturday, I rediscovered uber NYC mag Nylon. As someone who never buys magazines, it was nice to see one that is fun and interesting with pretty graphics and all things aspirational and Noo York.
So I was surprised (pleasantly so) when I visited their online counterpart and found a veritable celebration of Aussie fashion!


Nylon currently has articles on the work of Romance Was Born (above, right) as well as Natalie Wood for surf label Insight, Ksubi and Colab.
The ultimate NY/OZ fashion fusion, however, would have to be Lyell, Emma Fletcher's line of enduring camisoles, blouses & skirts (above, left). Fletcher is Oz born and bred but NYC based. Stocked at Bloodorange in Sydney - 35 Elizabeth Bay Rd, Elizabeth Bay or online at Refinery 29.

Bitten by the ethics bug

It seems that the whole world (well, maybe the whole blogging world) is chatting about the issue of mass market clothes "clogging the planet" (Cathy Horyn, NY Times).
Read this surprisingly erudite interview with Sarah Jessica Parker by Horyn, from her ever-impressive NY Times syndicated fashion blog On the Runway.
In it, Parker and Horyn discuss issues of over-production, sweat shops and celebrity designer overkill in light of SJP's recent line of budget clothing Bitten for retail chain Steve and Barry's.

Trend Watch: Native Australian

Australian native foods are increasingly on the foodie radar to the point that I have to say ::you heard it here first:: indigenous rubus are the new ricotta hotcakes.
I think that honour of serving native food as a side addition to breakfast plates first goes to to the Byron Bay beach cafe on Belongil - yep, I had their scrambled eggs, turkish toast and char grilled native green limes years ago - as introduced by Robin and Anna and then enjoyed again with KTG, Han, Jono, Jimmy (then still "James"), Marcus, Steve and maybe even the models too...

Much more than just macadamias, now there's lilly pilly jam, wattleseed dressing, quandongs for a strudel and kakadu plums.
As duck confit mains in 2001 and rhubarb deserts throughout 03-04, I think we can now begin to trace the trend of native appearances on your menu of choice. Of course, we're looking forward to your comments and any stories of restaurants and chefs making Australian native ingredients noveau...In the mean time, avocado covered in normal lime juice and heaps of salt and pepper makes a pretty amazing kick start to your Sunday cook off.

Sight-shopping

Inspired by Sydney Design 07 and my previous 'tourist to do' post, here is a round-up of the best Sydney shopping destinations when in search for something quintessentially Australian (that isn't a talking Boonie doll or clip-on koala):
Dinosaur Designs: they may have a NYC boutique now, but a stop at their original Oxford St flagship or Strand Arcade shop is a must. I love their resin rose rings, a sweet update on 19th century carved ivory equivalents.
Zimmermann: No one can go wrong with a bikini from Zimmermann.
The Artery: This tiny gallery in the heart of King's Cross specialises in stylish, inexpensive Aboriginal art and craft. The woven woollen cushions, designed by Aboriginal women and woven in Kashmir, are a gorgeous 'Aussie' pressie at $60.
Object Gallery: The gallery's store Collect stocks an array of design gems. Seen below.
Love + Hatred: Surely the most interesting jeweler in Sydney. Love + Hatred use ancient cultural symbolism and a variety of golds and gems to create stunning pieces.
Helen Kaminski: This may be cliched, but it is with good reason. There is still no match for a Kaminski hat. The woman made sun hats pretty and glamorous so I love her!
Haigh's: for bags of chocolate frogs.
Fairfax & Roberts: for something super special. Fairfax, established in 1854, is old-world Sydney glamour at its best. They are about to renovate and launch a second boutique, next t0 to their Martin Place palace.
Simon Johnson: as well as imported goods, Simon Johnson stocks beautifully packaged Australian produce such as macadamia oil.
Museum of Sydney shop: lovely books & bits, both historical and contemporary.
Lee Mathews: Mathews uses Australian kitsch imagery and local merino wool in her fashion and homewares, to great effect.
And for the best range of Aus fashion, I would recommend Orson & Blake, Surry Hills and David Jones in the city - if only they still had wooden escalators!

Consumer conscience

In her column from last Saturday's Good Weekend Magazine, Maggie Alderson stated that "we are on the brink of a huge shift in consumer attitudes" away from from the "current state of retail worldwide: buy the latest look ultra cheap, buy loads of it, wear it a few times, chuck it away". I do hope she is right: although I admit to a fascination with chains such as H&M and Zara (mainly due to nostalgia for Spain!), there is something so depressing about the endless racks of 'now' garments. They're the environmental equivalent of individually wrapped dish-washing powder tablets.
But of course there is demand for the latest looks at a low cost so what's the answer? Well, Alderson used former brand director of Top Shop, Jane Sheperdson, as a role model for change. After leaving her lucrative job voluntarily, Shepherdson is now consulting with Oxfam to revamp their chain of charity shops. So there are opportunities for a middle ground: creating links with charities (particularly in the third world countries where cheap garments are made); increased use of organic, fair trade and recycled materials.
But these approaches have the danger of the carbon offset scheme (something I support but which I think deters people from actually reducing their footprint). The best solution lies in a change of attitude for consumers. Education about the financial advantages of spending more and buying less, for example. A novel concept, but if the 'less' is going to last a lifetime then it's a ethical choice indeed.

Tourist to do

It's the eternal dilemma: where to direct international visitors when in Sydney.
Here's my two cents: please add yours.
Eat:

• Fish Face: who needs a view when the seafood is this good?
  
• Sushi E: sushi gets glamorous.
  
• Sean's Panorama: a cosy kitchen with a view of the sea.
  

See/do:

• Transect the city: walk down the deco glamour of Macleay St, Potts Pt, pop down the Victoria St steps to Woolloomooloo and across and up to the Art Gallery of NSW. Once you've visited the Yiribana and Victorian collections, keep walking down Macquarie St (via the Botanic Gardens and their luscious palms & figs) to the Quay, where you'll meet the Opera House. Cross the Quay (looking out for the steel drum player) and make your way through the Rocks to the colonial elegance of Argyle Square and Walsh Bay.

• Visit the Aquarium for pineapple fish and sea horse delights & then walk up Sussex St to eat their poor cousins at yum cha at The Regal.
• Peruse Paddington: shop in William St, lunch at the Grand National and visit galleries such as Sullivan & Strumpf or Sherman.
• Hibernate in Haberfield: cruise the Federation streets and then sample perfect pizza, followed by Pasticerria Papa's famous ricotta cake.
  
• Drive or bus up to the Northern Beaches for fish & chips and empty (well, emptier) beaches and coffee at Swell Cafe.
• For pure harbour worship, have a a bottle of wine at Clifton Gardens or Neilson Park late in the day.

All I can think of right now at short notice but I hope any internationals reading find it useful...

And to Ette!

Where sj+ Hat first ventured, expert contributions of fellow "ette-ers" will continue to lead.

While at the Tarantino / Rodriguez double feature (final days of screening at Chauvel) last night I was charmed in recognising that the ice cream sandwiches we so lovingly introduced back in November are now available mainstream. Just one small example of our joy in noticing the finer things and sharing them with you all.

SJ + Hat have long held the belief it's the little pockets of awareness, response and inspiration that make a better dinner party (or impromptu picnic breakfast, pictured) and friend.

So to Hat - yes indeed what a soiree and very much looking forward to more wise lifestyle commentary and divine suggestions from Sydney-ette!

For 2008, I wish for you all to

• Rediscover a glorious mid week moment at the communal table of Jones the Grocer and after...
  
• ...be brave with disposable finances and lucky enough to find joy in end of season sales particularly Orson and Blake and Nicola Finetti
• Hope that Novak (although some congratulations deserved) matures into a less egotistical player
• Follow the privatisation by James and Lachlan in the best interests of Australian news and entertainment
• RIP Heath
• Experience the heritage listing of Bondi vastly improving Campbell Parade and surrounding eateries
• Make an effort for saving water and playing a small part in climate change

Most importantly, turn up the music LOUD and consider your ideas and concepts that might just go BIG to make each of your lives more rewarding, entrepreneurial work life family balancing and full of love.

Enjoy,

sj x

I love Tobi

Impressive online boutique Tobi has a sale on A.P.C, See by Chloe & Helmut Lang.
A.P.C desirables seen here.

Pink & pretty things

A couple of interesting bits and bobs for your Thursday.
Artist and auteur Julian Schnabel may have been described as 'colourful' but he's confirmed it with his newly renovated West Village building.
There has been uproar, with Schnabel defending the colour as "Pompeii red". Red? That is pink, Julian. Hotte hotte pink. And don't listen to them - I love it.
In other news, Strange Maps is a good thing to peruse when you're meant to be working.
The blog title is self explanatory but you'll still be surprised and delighted by some of the examples. Seen at left is a subway map of web trends 2.0.

Up next: Sydney Design 07 and the Simpsons take on couture.

Posh and Becks are gross

I used to be entertained and intrigued by Posh and Becks and their 'romance'...their insatiable lust for fame fame fame yet constant intrigue by the fact that they actually seem happy together.

However, now what they're getting up to in the US is just ridiculous.

Tell Becks I'm not talking to him because while it's great that he's found some new friends, Katie's only talking to Posh because Tom was fired from his studio and the new baby is kinda expensive so they need a new power couple to tip a few mill into the church's sinking fund.

Coolest Museum #2

Tate Modern.

Because they do stuff like this.

Musicians/DJs etc have been asked by Tate Modern to submit a new track (via myspace) that was inspired by an item from the Tate Modern collection. Basement Jaxx, The Chemical Brothers, Roll Deep, Graham Coxon, The Long Blondes and Lethal Bizzle have all done it and one lucky unknown will join them.

I'd write something soulful to accompany Bonnard's Coffee, 1916 (above) or something slick for Andy Warhol's Del Monte, 1964 (left) but I am not musically blessed.
The other drawback is the age limit: 16 to 24. Ridiculous. Who is under 24 these days?

Regardless, Tate Modern continues to elbow its way into the public throng without sacrificing its authority.

Little Portugal/Petersham

Lisbon is in my top 5 cities of the world so when feeling nostalgic for its crumbling glamour and soulful semblance, I head to Sweet Belem Cake Boutique (thanks to my Petersham-dwelling friend Emma).

The custard tarts are a must and leave all other Sydney varieties for dead. Also try the rose petal mud cakes - the prettiest cakes you could possibly bring to a dinner party.

Vanilla slices, almond, custard and cinnamon croissants and traditional shortbread biscuits too!




Sweet Belem Cake Boutique
35c NEW CANTERBURY ROAD, PETERSHAM. TEL: 95726685. Open Wed-Thu 8.30am-5pm, Fri-Sat 8.30am-5.30pm, Sun 9am-4pm.

Stella by nature

I love Stella McCartney - there was a brief moment back there when the brand was slightly over-hyped but all has settled and she appears to have hit her design & social awareness stride.
McCartney, a firm and long-time advocate for animal rights, cleverly communicates her beliefs in a rational, grass-roots fashion, rather than resorting to violence or criminal activity. The latest example of this approach is her island on Second Life. The island, which was launched on July 12th and will cease to exist on July 29th, is a forum for animal rights discussion and an opportunity to learn more about the role of PETA. Visitors to the island were asked to submit entries for the new PETA slogan, to replace "we'd rather go naked than wear fur" - Stella will pick the winner this week so we'll let you know what it is...

Image above is from McCartney's campaign for her organic skincare range Care.

For more info on PETA and what the average person can do to help, see their Action Centre here.

Funnily enough, Stella also supports the Kanye West Foundation - providing underprivileged youth access to music production. So he is more than his uber sunglasses...

Accessorise your eyes

Pleasures are few so great as a well produced video clip. Those who have followed my interest listing on MySpace, Facebook and now blogger will have recognised a keen eye for rnb and bling gossip.

The latest to enjoy is the "Stronger" clip by Kanye West. Sampling Daft Punk and biggin up to famous anime director Akira, it's Kanye's sunglasses of choice that most caught my attention.

Lucky for us that although his incredible pair of Jeremy Scott's which reportedly took 'months' to find are indeed amazing, similarly slick accessory fashion is available much closer to home.

Colab - short speak for 'collaboration' is literally that - partnering international artists and fashion designers with Australian hardware makers to produce hip hop worthy frames so cool they deserve some in the club choreography of their own.

In a similar vein to fellow Australian's A&M, you're supporting the initiative of a local and as most Colab's are limited edition, can be assured that they're much more interesting than mass produced and over priced for what you're getting Gucci's.
Functionally speaking, you may want to take the stickers off the lenses before wearing , but I'm tipping stripes and playful images will be in for this summer and such illustration is no longer limited to just your tee shirt or cossie. Enjoy. www.colab.com.au

Fashionable animals?

When I received an email newsletter with an article titled "Think Mink!" from the pompous but pretty Luxury Culture.com, I was a little shocked. Hadn't we shamed the mink industry into partial submission with (and without) the help of Naomi Campbell? Weren't we all enlightened beings these days when it came to the cruel realities of wild animal (that's right - minks are inherently wild) farming for fashion purposes? Seems not. J. Mendel's current designer Gilles Mendel has apparently "been instrumental in pioneering the return of fur to widespread popularity".
It's unfortunate that I can no longer have any respect for the man because he makes damn fine non-fur couture.
He has, however, instigated a fur recycling drive, encouraging clients to bring in their old silver foxes to have them re-made into more modern garments. This appeals to me somewhat as many of us have a nanna fur that sits in the attic, and it would hopefully discourage new purchases (although I think that may be optimistic - the kind of women who would use this service are most likely the kind of women who require a new fur for every season). I don't think the old "vintage fur is just as bad because wearing it supports the industry" has that much weight. Old furs are kind of like Tintin comics: undoubtedly racist and reflective of another time but that doesn't mean we should ban them. But I think I'd rather send mine to some freezing lady in Ozbekistan than have it revamped (nan would be appalled either way!).

To support my stance, the coat pictured is NOT fur, but a Stella McCartney eco alternative. Looks pretty good (and warm) to me.

To be continued. Next up: Stella McCartney & second life activism.

Cos you'll like it

H&M have sneaked in a new chain of concept stores named COS (Collection of Style) into Europe. They plan on opening 10 of these stores, which they are pitching as a cut above H&M, by the end of the year.

The range is very fundamental chic and scarily Scandanavian. The fashion show (see here) resembled a line of Aryan robots, wrapped in starched white serviettes.

But the promo pics are stunning - they make you want to run downstairs and burn all garments of colour and character in your wardrobe (which, for me, would make a Guy Fawkes-worthy fire) in an effort to look as effortless as the COS model.

The collection claims to be high quality, designer apparel without the 'brand-name' mark-up. It will be interesting to see whether they find a market in the already crowded High St.

H&M sales figures have been recently overtaken by Zara, which has been more aggressive in the Asian markets - clever Spanish chaps.

Grey leather crop sleeve jacket, above, priced at 150 pounds.

See Monocle's news report on COS here.

Three two admire for today

Intrigued by the posters for Premonition...

Appreciate the nature imagery in "The World Without Us" CBD Vs tree sky...

Lit tip for the week is Ozonomics "a book on weighty economic issues that's easy to read. If our leaders had half his gift for communicating complex ideas clearly and engagingly, and identifying solutions that intuitively make sense, we really could be relaxed and comfortable about our economy " says Dominic Knight...

It sounds so interesting to us all young and cool all, I'm just disapointed that the Ozonomics front cover didn't dare more with design. I suspect 'Freakonomics' sold many more copies in looking so fly as it did on the basis of the Stephen's intellecutal rigour.

Resort report 2008:

I love resort collections. They are as close as we'll get to actually being able to wear such lovelies.

Overwhelming tendances for 2008:
*Upper East Side lady (beehives and all!): Christian Dior, Oscar de la Renta, Louis Vuitton.
*Canary yellow: Celine, Oscar de la Renta; safari/beige: Givenchy, Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen, Burberry Prorsum; shocks of royal blue/purple.
*Panelled colour: Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Nina Ricci.
*Swirl prints: Marc Jacobs, Chloe, Yves Saint Laurent
*50s full skirts: Oscar de la Renta, Prada
*Suits; three quarter length, boxy shapes, wide-legged trousers: Chloe, Oscar de la Renta.

And the prizes go to:
Most original colour palette: Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton
Coolest prints: Prada
Most original designs: Yves Saint Laurent, Nina Ricca
Most wearable: Temperley, Derek Lam


Miu Miu at top, Louis Vuitton at left.
See all at Style.com

Danks St-op

Pretty bird? I think so.
Hayden Fowler's solo show Call of the Wild is currently on at Gallery Barry Keldoulis, 2 Danks St Waterloo. Until July 29.

Whilst in the building, have a look at Ambrose Reisch at Stella Downer Fine Art (at left).


As well as the ever-impressive Aboriginal and Pacific Art Gallery.

Summer online

You can officially justify the US online stores this week, what with our dollar being so bolshy.
And they're all on sale so it's perfect for our upcoming Summer.
However most of the best stores do not ship to Oz so you'll need a nice auntie in the US to help you out - you can borrow mine if you're desperate. If not, it's good to have a look at these prices and realise how inflated imported designer goods are here.

Barneys is the pick of them all - amazing buys from Lanvin (sandals at left, $US170 - the nicest I've ever seen), Daryl K, Marc Jacobs, Philip Lim (linen tunic above, $US189) and Diane von Furstenberg.

Banana Republic is going bananas (sorry) with great work gear for next to nada. Linen shift dress, $US90, left.

Access American Apparel through Amazon's Summer Sale (cute Poppy bikini, below, $US16.99). American Apparel will open an Aus online store this month!

And for something special - head to le train bleu for 50% off Cacharel, Lover & Karen Walker (and reasonable shipping fees.)

wardrobe tip for today, tomorrow, next spring and the spring after that

I’m thinking red and white and navy will be in for spring. Yes, again, but the trio is such a classic combination that you've got all the more reason to invest. Put Oscar De La Renta Resort 2008 runway inspiration together with navy and white striped with red detail dresses of Alexander McQueen now available at Arida in Potts Point and before you can say Riviera you’ll be hearkening to one of the greatest, effortless styles of dressing – naval chic. Look towards forays into quality cottons, beautiful silks and vivid fire engine red, cobalt blue and crisp white. Don’t buy nautical on the cheap. Invest in great pieces as none will ever slip out of vogue.

This is by no means an endorsement to accessorise with anchor and other nautical imagery. Venture there at your own peril!

Uncommon scents

When I discovered that Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney's fiance/ex-fiance Coleen had launched an eponymous perfume last week (I only know this as I am a gofugyourself proselyte), I decided that it was time to take stock.

So the best ever fragrances (according to me and selected perfume nut friends and my mother) are...

1. Love in White by Creed.
Inspired by the Fontainbleau forest and the first blooms of Spring. Awww. Based on white flowers, including Magnolia, Narcissus and White Hyacinth with Fresh Grass on a base of White Iris from Florence, Rice Husk, and Vanilla. And there's more! The House of Creed was founded in 1760 and became Queen Victoria's official perfumier - she may not have been the best glamour spokesperson but this did lead to it being adopted by the courts of Europe, including Napoléon III and Empress Eugénie of France. It's still known for its exclusivity and expense: at $195 you can be fairly sure you'll be the only Fontainbleau-smelling girl in the room (apart from me, that is).

2. Diorissimo by Christian Dior/ Lillia Bella by Guerlain.
Both of these are pure lily-of-the-valley. And they actually smell exactly like the flower (unlike a lot of gardenia and tuberose based scents).

3. In Love Again by Yves Saint Laurent.
The only perfume I've encountered that you can spray liberally without fainting. Perfect for Summer. Grapefruit, brimbelle, tulip tree, water lily, blackberry, sandalwood & musk.

4. Kai by Kai.
Wear this instead of going on holiday. Franjipanis, gardenias and the tropics.

5. Songes by Annick Goutal.
Boutique French perfumier Annick Goutal's latest offering contains frangipani, ylang-ylang, jasmine and vanilla.

Honourable mentions go to Shalimar by Guerlain and Safari by Ralph Lauren (for those who like strength and spice) as well as Fracas by Robert Piguet and Rive Gauche by YSL.

PS: Agh! I completely forgot Caleche by Hermes which I have always loved. Woody & floral.

Kai and Fracas available at Mecca Cosmetica. Or check Strawberry Net for reductions on all brands, as well as free shipping.

Your favourite, ladies and gents?

Short, sweet & stupendous

Just to draw attention to the lovely, succinct Very Shortlist.
In their words, they provide "short, sweet email...great discoveries...high/low culture" divided neatly into 'Look', 'See' and 'Read' departments.

With thanks to NYC hipster Bessma for the tip-off.

Face Off

The Visual Art of Contemporary Latin America exhibition on currently at the MCA is well publicised by posters of their menu del dia - a portrait of Che depicted entirely out of beans.


From Lost at E Minor today, it seems that edible renditions of profiles and personalities extends to Australian cafes as well.

Pitt Street pitt stop

New season deliveries have arrived, although they're no longer called that. Australian High Street retail chains Country Road, Esprit and Witchery now stock "collections" rather than ranges in a move that sees their brand aspire to designer labels.


What next, an invite only Supre 'trunk show'?

Alongside Hat's haute couture report, it seems that day to day dressing will continue to fixate on silver, sequins, neutral and taupe. Footwear has given up on the bulky modern chunks and bold colours of the runway last year and become more feminine, in matching the metallic sparkle tones and special details of belts, camisoles and flirty pieces that make the otherwise dull commercial winter fashions a lot more interesting. I particularly liked a $149 Witchery peep toe pair that would compliment the Valentino dress below. Ah, dressing in 2007. When no one needs to know where your outfit came from, so long as it's coordinated and on trend .

...and one more

How could I have forgotten Valentino?
His couture show presented an accelerated, exaggerated super glamazonian woman, replete with flounces, feathers and fairy floss.
Not my thing, but this evening dress was a killer.

Haute fever

What does haute couture offer us hoi polloi, apart from alien wedding dresses?
A lot of fun is the answer, but best ingested in very small doses (thank god only 7 designers have the backing or we'd have a case of hallucinatory haute fever on our hands).

My pick of the lucky 7 was Armani Prive. I may hate his annual Hollywood campaign juggernaut, but he is undoubtedly talented and distinctive. His brand of glamour is so rock-solidly his own, no matter what the influences. The shapes and colours in this show were glaringly 80s glam rock - hot pinks and lime with black and beading. A little bit craaiizzy but not nearly so much as...

Dior's historical costume extravaganza. As well as numerous gosh! gowns, there were a couple of Picasso-esque harlequin looks that I liked.
And the others?
Chanel: Lagerfeld went all Clement Greenberg by stating that "Everything is flat at the front. It's all side effects." Which meant that everyone resembled bundles.
Jean Paul Gaultier: more of the military, androgynous same with a Byzantine spin.
Christian Lacroix: amazing fancy rags
Elie Saab: a night out with nanna and her 'after 8' gowns.

Fashion & faith

There are few hard and fast rules in the world of high fashion. But two of them are:

-there will always be more than one Irina in every show.
-the wedding dress finale will almost always cause a giggle.

As was the case in yesterday's Chanel couture Fall 2007.
It looked strangely like the Australian performance artist Luke Roberts's alter ego Pope Alice:

Tech Talk

Have you heard of the crew who find it cool to go around and smash things as a statement on consumerism?

This violent treatment to the new Apple iPhone the latest example

Interesting (from a media/cultural studies perspective) that the SMH yesterday included forcibly breaking gadgets as soon as they are released as a kind of visual consumer voice – how a new gadget withstands destruction seemingly now part of a new product’s reception.

Much more than an underground movement for bored kids with web skills, it seems ‘smashing’ is a new sub culture… like slash fiction for marketing campaigns.

What did you last break to better explore? Could we argue that without shopping i.e breaking the bank is how we get to understand fashion, design, ourselves.... (whatever excuse SJ!!!)

Young Alfred

This casual pizza and wine kind of restaurant is exactly what the Sydney CBD needs of more.

On the ground floor of customs house, Young Alfred is a simple restaurant to relax in and enjoy the voyeuristic position for watching Café Sydney diners venture up and down the Customs House lift. Here you are assured a simple meal yet no less amazing meal of italian basics such as garlic pizza and more adventurous toppings including vongole and vegetarian pesto. Don't miss desert -they serve a wickedly self saucing chocolate fondant with delectable sour cream icecream - no dish goes so far as to give culinary pleasure on a cold winters afternoon.

Open 7am - midnight weekdays and 10am - midnight on weekends.

world heritage status

Congratulations SOH

Gluttony in its infancy

And the ten years before that? Keeping in mind that I was 5 in 1986.

1986: Dobinson's cupcakes (I ate the icing and gave the cake to nan's dog)
1987: Home-made pikelets with jam every afternoon
1988: Green frogs from the Rose Bay patisserie
1989: An entire jar of green olives (brought on by parental neglect but it led to a life long passion)
1990: Golden boats at Chao Phraya restaurant, Randwick.
1991: A shirley temple and spiderman burger from Mama McGees, Woollahra
1992: Foccacia and orange juice at Cafe Hernandez with dad (whilst my brothers played rugby)
1993: Wood-fired pizza at The Edge
1994: Fish & chips at the old Bather's Pavilion
1995: Short soup with mum at the Eastgardens food court
1996: Freshly squeezed juice at Bogey Hole Cafe, Bronte

Hmm, am now questioning the nutritional value of my childhood food groups...

Goodness glutton gracious

Further to Good Living's (guilty, a common thread between us SJ + Hat two) list of the dishes of the twenty years since the food and living herald supplement has been printed... I thought we could start a gen y list version of our own.

GL's mention of Sticky Date Pudding got me thinking... what has been my foodie calendar of the past 10 or so years ..?

1996 - Sticky date pudding at Belaroma

1997 - Mochas and create your own foccacia at Bacigalupo (gee i was onto it! look at today's Sydney Magazine review), King St Newtown
1998 - Ericyces turkish pide, Cleveland St, Surry Hills
1999 - Coffee at New Orleans Cafe or Maisys Neutral Bay

2000 - Chinese at Matthews Peacock Garden or Imperial Peking
2001 - Most dishes at La Ong, King St, Newtown, free hot dogs, late night kebabs
2002 - Banana bread, Dee Why pies, strawberry milk, Longrain, 21st menus.
2003 - Ricotta, marinated goats cheese & quince; street food overseas
2004 - Flat leaf parsley, homemade hummus, cocktails, dinner parties
2005 - Pasta, dried fruit, Mexican, casado
2006 - Kronenburg beer, Magners cider, cheese, foie gras, gelato, BBQs
2007 - Tapas, peanut butter toast, sangiovese, Coopers Green, lebanese

I revisited Ericyces a few nights ago and the mix dips and lamb flat pizza with tomato, lemon and onion, followed by birdsnest baklava - the worlds most divine sweet concoction of walnut, pastry, honey and pistachio bliss continues a modern amazement beyond my circa 1998 introduction.

Ericyces - $40 for two, easy. 409 Cleveland St (cnr Crown) Surry Hills.

Looking forward to learning yours...

sj x

Exhibition mission

It's cold! Still!
So warm those bones by walking amongst some art, and having animated discussions/arguments about its worth.
There's Making and Meaning: Craft in the 21st Century at Object Gallery from July 7. Craftiness is high on my list of loves, and I'm excited to see that the UK ceramicist Richard Slee's gleamingly pretty pieces will be included in this show. His wheelbarrow is at right.
After that, walk across Surry Hills to see Julian Meagher and Sam Smith at Chalkhorse Gallery (opens tomorrow evening if you are v. keen).
And whilst you're in the area, carry on the uber contemporary mode by visiting Firstdraft, where you'll see the (body) reinstated - an exhibition of UWS alumni artists working with video, sound and performance art.If you can get through all that jarring contemporary noise, you'll certainly deserve dinner at Foveaux Restaurant and Bar - it's cosy and calming and scored 15.5 in Good Living last month.

Birthday gal

Sorry I missed it.


ps - to get your revenge, look closely at my first attempt, below:

New year, new yearning

Just shy of a year old, sj + hat is slowly but surely taking a graceful bow out of the blogging sphere.

But no arts & crafts leadlight window closes without something equally stylish opening, and I'm excited to notify you all of the soon-to-be Sydney-ette : a collaborative blog reviewing all things interesting and appealing in and of Sydney (the mandate is ever-developing).

So please bookmark the address despite its current vacancy, or send me your email addresses via comments or the email address under hat's profile , for further updates.

ps - sj : what a pleasure it's been!

a cautionary rhyme to avoid ugg boot fashion crime

Teamed with jeans they are unworthy
of woman or man, a style ball thrown curvey.

No matter the colour - pink, blue or tan
I do not like them, against ugg boots I am.

They may be warm – so too socks and shoes
When they're outdoors uggs are good taste abused.

Air raid chic

So I was walking down the steamy streets of Darwin when my ever-observant Toby proclaimed "what are those war-time dresses doing in a disused auto workshop?" So we peered inside, and discovered that it was as close to Nic as we were ever likely to get... they were obviously her (and most likely a bunch of territorian extras') wardrobe choices for Lurhmann's Australia.

That, or just some stylish lady's deceased estate. Either way, they were very pretty and made me all a-flutter for buttoned-up, short-sleeved dresses in chintzy prints.

Will hunt about and let you know.

And no, that wasn't the highlight of the trip.

Double date for your credit card and your diary

Sale 7th July 2007 10am – 4pm27 Renny Street Padington ,

The Old Dunbar Hotel.

Up to 50% off current in store stock from

Missoni scarfs and bags

Cacharel Jackets, knit dresses

Pearls and Cashmere Jumpers
Alice Temperely belt

All new clothing is winter 07’ and is still full price in

Myer/David Jones/Belinda/Robby Ingham

Art & crocs

I will be in the top end of the Northern Territory for the next week , working and playing. So, so long and see you soon.
ps - pester SJ for posts

Learned luxury and more

Do you find The Economist lacking in glamour at times?
All those ugly pictures of rubble getting you down? Then Monocole is your answer. A new online publication from Wallpaper's Tyler Brule (what a name), Monocle provides a 'briefing on Global Affairs, Business, Culture & Design'. The haunting image at right is James Sanders' Celluloid Skyline, from a current exhibition at Grand Central Station, NYC, that is reviewed in Monocle's Culture page. Patrick Bateman would be a fan.
Luxuryculture.com takes the glamour stakes up another notch. Its 'Luxury Now' section is great - beautifully displayed articles on grand art, design and fashion projects and people from around the globe. Read about famed vintage couture hoarder Didier Ludot or Parisian design powerhouse Hubert le Gall. However, the rest of the site is somewhat pathetic - for example, in the section titled 'Brand Gallery' you can watch various Chanel TV advertisements. As if we need to see the blonde roll around in sheets and smear rouge no. 1 on her chops again.

And for my final find-of-the-week: if you're at all related to, or interested in, the fashion world, sign up to Iqons. It is basically a myspace for fashion designers, writers, obsessors etc. The networking potential is enormous and high profile fashion veterans are apparently 'on hand' to guide and promote new talent. See how it works here. Without Iqons, I'd have never known about New Zealand's Black Magazine - I came across them in the '15 minutes of fame' page.

Daily, The Tele!!

I've changed my daily paper and now instead of the Sydney Morning Herald, I'm reading the Daily Telegraph. It is for work that I have this new reason to follow the current affairs of Sydney's dear great unwashed mainstream . And as all the floods on which the Tele has been writing, the watershed flow on effect has been that i've now an each 24 hour listing of gigs around Sydney.

Daily, The Tele has this great North, South, East and West listing of what's going on in terms of performance, film, music and other various events. Now a mid 20 somethings, street press publicity by Moshtix, Ticketek and inthemix can often pass me by. Recent case in point - did anybody else know that gorgeous UK mellow maestro, Aqualung was in town!?!? It was only in the DT's entertainment pages that I found out. Very unfortunately, I missed his gig at The Basement last night but don't worry, I'll be sure to let share who the Tele tells me is playing over the coming weeks.

For any shudders and aghast that I may have changed my main daily, I can concede that the SMH Spectrum still rocks (intended) for music and arts listings on the weekend. There, I learned that old folksy sexy, trip hoppy rock song cover devils, Nouvelle Vague, are playing in Sydney on July 5. Tickets on sale now.

As announced on June 14 it seems that The Cure will be touring Australia August this year. Hat, waiting to hear on confirmation, we might have to up our street press and add an inthemix link to the left.

Heheh.. Aqualung V The Cure ... Now who's unwashed?

design by penguin / penguin by design

To celebrate the launch of My Penguin, a series of six Classics published with naked front covers, including Emma, Meditations, The Waves, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Magic Tales and Crime and Punishment, Penguin publishers have created the My Penguin Gallery, where layman like you and me are invited to submit our own book cover designs for each title. If they're up to scratch, they make the online gallery (no word yet on whether they'll print them for you...) Whilst on the subject of Penguin, the must-buy coffee table book of the month (despite it being a year old) is Penguin by design: A cover story 1935 - 2005. A survey of the various Penguin cover design guises, the book covers (excuse the pun) 'the development of British publishing, book cover design and the role of artists and designers in creating and defining the Penguin look.' (Penguin)

Once you've ordered that, check out the website Covers - a visual feast of paperback penache.

ps: in case you hadn't already noticed, I am slightly obsessed with the orange hue of Penguin's 1930s fiction editions, hence the colour scheme of sj+hat.

Summer in this winter wonderland

While the sj family's epicurial nouse may have a few years yet to catchup with Hat’s, we’ve certainly been going to Summerland long enough to position me 'expert'.

Summerland is THE family dinner destination – so cheap the bill comes to the price of eating with four in Darlinghurst when in fact you’ve met with a large party in Bankstown. Yes, Bankstown. Summerland originated in Eastwood, waaaaay back in 80’s money. I don’t know if the owners were caught up in the recession or simply decided to move to a bigger space, but come early 90’s they took their $30 banquet and their belly dances southern west. It seems they remembered everything but to change the menu price. More food than you could physically, possibly devour is still only $30, and this is food so amazing, so authentic, I can only begin to describe…

Velvety babaganoush, hummus, strained yoghurt and stuffed vine leaves. Marinated goats cheese, mushrooms, butter beans and lamb sausages. All the while, freshly baked pita keeps coming, their moist dough rounds still so hot that steam rises as they’re walked from the kitchen before their gentle deflation in a wicker basket on your table. Tabouli, rocket leaves, fatoush and raw lamb mince with fresh mint and dukkah continue the ‘binge eat like you’ve never’ tempting, the only reprieve a simple herb salad of oregano, lemon and onion - much needed and cleansing. Conversation is broken time and time again as claims of how ‘delicious’, ‘authentic’ and foodie contentment 'oohs' and 'aahs' amongst further mouthfuls of more, more, more food.

Suddenly the lights dim and through the kitchen a flash of bright fabric. For the first moment in forty minutes since being seated, you’re distracted from the food.
Perhaps it’s the sexual confidence of an otherwise shrouded woman, a glimpse into basic male / female desires – of knowing what you can do for a gaze and shaking damn well to please…A belly dancer is lithe, inspiring and mysterious as any talented dancer. The rolling, momentum, sashaying, fabric, beads, bangles and bells… after nearly an hour of steady eating and a lifetime or ‘normal’ restaurant nights out (i.e. those without live, moving, mid meal entertainment) it’s unexpected, even a little awkward, but exactly what you need – another feast, but this time for your eyes.

Four Lebanese songs later, and routines that included a cane, sword and finger bells, attention spans begin to wander back mains. Charcoal lamb and chicken kebab skewers, mixed roasted vegetables and more delicious lamb sausages mark the savory closing before the generous fruit plate, turkish delight and baklava desert begins. Coffee arrives in traditional golden pot with a long handle. It slowly pours, so thick it’s sludge, but you need the caffeine now, to wake you from your well fed near slumber. While the baklava a little dry, the rose water turkish (literally rose water and sugar) delight certainly akin to the ice cream rule… there’s always room.

Summerland is an easy drive down Homebush Bay, right onto Hume Highway then left onto Stacey Street, Bankstown. Don’t worry the distance, you will be eating so much you don’t want to be drinking… alternatively, it’s such a great venue for big groups, there’s certain to be a designated few among the many.

Enjoy. This place comes highly, highly recommended. Gluttony and good company the perfect way to lose yourself one cool winters eve.

Coolest Museum #1

The phenomenon of the 'super museum' (ie- a museum or art gallery designed by super cool people, using even cooler concepts and incorporating far more than your average exhibition schedule) has intrigued me since I visited the Bilbao Guggenheim back in 2000. Contrary to many art historians and theoreticians, I am all for these monolithic beasts - they are hugely enjoyable to experience and ultimately demand more from the art within, rather than overshadow it, as is the popular complaint.

The North Carolina Museum of Art is my first (in a series that will last as long as my attention span) case study. Once a basic brick 1980s gallery, the Museum was extended to include a 'museum park' over 10 years ago - 164 acres scattered with environmental art, walking trails and concert/festival facilities. Barbara Kruger devised the words 'PICTURE THIS' (see left) to be 'written' in various media between the museum and the park, as though alerting the visitor to the unusual artistic contexts that they are about to discover. Now the New York architects Thomas Phifer and Partners have designed a 127, 000 square foot pavillion (see above), in an attempt to increase exhibition space but keep it connected to the park's natural surroundings. Only natural lighting will be used, via its roof's rectangular coffers. As the deputy director for planning says, “We are taking the museum off of that pedestal.”
Yes, perhaps it will be accessible and organic and the like, but it still sounds super to me!

Would love to hear of anyone else's favourite museum/sculpture park/installation wharehouse/subversive subway graffiti gallery?

Winners all 'round

CFDA Awards update:

Proenza Schouler tied with Oscar de la Renta. Although I was endorsing the PS boys, O. de la Renta has been making the prettiest clothes on the market for years, not unlike his Latino peer Carolina Herrera, so it's a nicely balanced outcome.

Muse confuse

Since when did serious fashion celebrities become such whores for designers? One night they're nuzzling Peter Som, the next night it's Michael Kors (I know which I'd be choosing there...) Are the designers sharing muses, a la Picasso and Man Ray? Or do the actresses draw straws? Either way, it's confusing. The money involved in celebrity endorsements may be the most likely explanation. And I suspect the boom in the celebrity management business detracts from an expression of individual style.

Oh! for the days of Audrey and Hubert.

ALDI adoration

I like to think that there is an anonymous cult of Aldi worshippers in Australia. It is the most amusing grocery shopping experience (and the cheapest) that you could possibly have. Sure, you won't be able to find most things on your shopping list (they certainly don't stock black limes and shrimp paste, for example) but you'll encounter things that you never knew you needed but you simply must have! And you can pretend that you're living in the former Soviet Union to boot, without secret police interruptions! Their trick is stocking bizarre things that are surprisingly good quality and avoiding hyped-up super brands: “The ‘name brands’ are only in the store when they can get a deal from a national manufacturer that fits within their super-low price image. But [private label brands] are not going to be worse quality than national brands. You will get the same quality,” says a US Aldi exec.

Yesterday I found delicious organic museli and ice-cream (have since sampled both), strawberry & vanilla jam, tinned Italian tomatoes and a sheepskin underblanket for my bed. A nice old lady in front of me at the check-out said "I save at least $50 per week shopping here". So you can squirrel away those $50 savings and spend them on overpriced cheeses at Simon Johnson. Parfait! Look here for your nearest one.

Calling card

Here at sj + hat we like things to be hand made - it makes the world feel more comfortable and provides a much-needed contrast to the barrage of new software, sites and simulators.

So when I recently had some slick celloglaze business cards ordered, I decided to complement them with some home spun substitutes. So when someone asks me for a card, I can say "home-made or machine-made?"

There are clever craftspeople all over the blogging world - see Adam Behringer's blog for a nice fusion of design and do-it-yourself.
Or simply start hoarding cool papers and cuttings and chop them up into place cards and the like...
I always rip up old desk diaries and calendars for interesting images (the Chronicle Books diaries are always the best). And source some alphabet stamps - the best are Cavallini and Co., available through duckeggblue or Zetta Florence in Melbourne. Or there are these ones on ebay. And if you're feeling eager, attempt some lino cut prints on visitors cards - lino, cutting tools and ink are relatively cheap from an art supply stores and once you have the knack, you can use it for almost anything.

Or for something slicker, order a customised embosser from Pepe's Paperie. You can punch your name, image or address onto any form of stationery, and get the metal plate replaced if your details change.

Cool change

Sydney doesn't quite know what to do with itself in Winter. Eleven degrees, and I still see girls in Havaianas on the bus - let it go, people! It's now your only annual opportunity to wear pea-coats and tartan tights!
So here is a how-to hibernate in style. (warning: this is female inclined advice).

Spend a penny on:

Hand-knitted goods. Hard to find but well worth the odyssey. Try the Hospital Shop, Sydney Hospital, 8 Macquarie St, Sydney or Bowral (in the pedestrian mall off Bong Bong St). The ladies at Hospital shops are always thrilled to take on a commission so order that cable knit cape (or some such thing) in time for August, and Winters to come. (NB: have just been informed that the Sydney Hospital Shop is not taking commissions so it's down to the Southern Highlands...)
Wolford tights. Some styles of this iconic hosiery house's range are on sale through the Melbourne boutique. My pick are the 'Men Killer Tights'.
Unguents. Winter creates reptiles out of all of us, so join the au naturale great unwashed and buy some botanical oils for your skin to slurp up. Trilogy make a nice range of essential oil products, and nothing beats a slap of rosehip oil before bed.

Cook:
Harira - the Moroccan minestrone.

Read:
Duveen. The biography of 'the greatest art dealer in the world' is a seriously good read. Out of print but available second hand through Amazon.

Download:
Some podcasts from The Economist and The New Yorker and listen to them on public transport. You'll not only be able to contribute substantially to conversations when you get to work, but you'll also avoid motion sickness!

Organise:

Your Google Reader RSS feeds. Now you can check in on sj + hat (as well as other inferior blogs) all at once!

Dance to:
New Order. Rediscover the glory.

Houston...

For all those struggling with my template changes and their arguments with various browsers - apologies.

Patience children!

Sweet sweet music

New music scoop-ette:

Des Miller, pictured below, plays a brand of 'sci-fi baritone pop' according to the guys at Faster Louder. Not a bad try, but I would have to say that the most appealing thing about M. Miller is that it is near-impossible to think up euphemisms and comparisons. His is a refreshingly unique strain of something-or-other. And he has a hot band. Hear for yourself at the Hopetoun on June 13. Or download the current single Borderline on Fire at Des's myspace page.

Whilst your perusing the impossibly beautiful people of myspace, visit Kelly Saunders - one of the most beautiful and oh! what a voice.

Both are signed to Broken Stone Records, which has so far been blessed not only with noteworthy performers, but a wonderful visual artist called Katherine Brickman who conceives their super-appealing poster and album designs.

Release dates

With so much time spent online, it's important to maximise your time spent off. Ten years ago, days were slower so you could have an easy like Sunday morning, but chances are now you're updating your facebook or myspace with your favourite songs and ignoring the take time out meaning of the lyrics.

Without wanting to sound too dire, and being huge advocates of the good life ourselves, we thought we'd offer some tips on taking it easy; for modern personal and social health. Note this is a section much more suited to a dot.com but in the blogging format meantime, you'll just have to make do.
By sj + hat.

Bush: Drive to the foot of the blue mountains, catch the train up a little higher then pedal your might down through the bush and back to Devonshire afternoon tea. Logistics and a map coming soon.

Beach: Snorkel the underwater trail at Gordons Bay, clovelly. No - it's not yet too cold!

Urban: Don't drive or bus to breakfast. Exercise and meet your friends halfway. Cycle to Bondi and meet a jogger who has run there from Paddington. you'll deserve the eggs so much more. (Hat says that this is a Easto-centric comment and that you would do well to cycle to Petersham and meet a jogger (preferably one you know) who has run there from Five Dock).

Away: Compile a holiday house register, complete with the details of the best cleaner in town and your mates' parent's beach house address.

Lost in thought: For all you city folk it's nine dollar Monday at Dendy Opera Quay. Lose yourself in the dark for two hours weekly. The dose of imagery, thought and music score will do you good.

Of course, keep on checking sj + hat regularly for all the latest festival, happening and idea information.

Dalrymple for hat, MC trey for SJ

I first went to the aussie hip hop spoken word night for the 2000 Sydney Writers Festival.

Now it's '07 and MC Trey is still going strong. The doyenne of aussie hip hop, Trey has all all the grace, intelligence and style of the world's finest female MCs. With the calibre of internationals, jill scott, ursula rucker and bahamedia come to mind.

I urge you all to support her latest and most close to heart urban project at this thursday's Hip Hop Projections. 7pm at bangarra theatre, the wharf, the rocks.

speaking of scoop

Does everybody know of the rumour of major australian retail group owning the Australian distribution licence to Zara but not opening the spanish retailer's doors for fear of their beloved witchery?

In witchery the other day, I was very disapointed. country road better enjoy sophie holt while she sticks around!

a man for all seasons

Hat: if your latest purchase was more a contribution to brand identity and range story than it was 70:30 acrylic:wool response to whatever is on the european runway (i.e zara, sportsgirl)... what if, rather than shock tactics more creative than they are wearable (e.g arrogant tees and 'i'll look cool for the next 10 mins if i buy this' from ksubi) ... you were buying in to a raison detre? a philosophy?

Then you could become part of a tide, turning against the mainstream to revolutionise how consumers respect & understand independent fashion labels.

It seems now that shopping's status quo is to simply walk into a store, after being urged by vague brand association (think how easy it is to find denim jeans or satin and beading from sass and bide). When label nouse combines with a perceived need for aesthetic or seasonal (a warm top as it's getting cold) reasons and the price agrees - then a retailer makes a sale.

But what, instead of commerical sale (to benefit big business i.e retailers), the intention was to continue artistic profit?

This question has not only been raised, but responded to. What with the internet and sub-cultures and everyone having an expression for everything, buying for want, need or price no longer seems substantial. Now we care to buy for reason, statement, persuasion, identity... and the the most 'brand identity' driven brand i've heard of in a while is certainly Beat Poet.

Beat Poet is an australian menswear label confident to make 'no' their answer and yes their response. No, they will not stock what the commercial market tells them to but Yes, they can deliver wadrobe pieces essential for any style conscious guy. No, they