Chocolate & Chalk

Since rockclimbing two or three times a week for the past few months, I have started looking up more than just interiors in my 'spare' time... I search for photography of fashion on cliffs, and nature photography of climbing places around the world. I watch youtube videos of pro rock-climbers to learn their technique and see where they climb, and I get fascinated by the stalactites and materials which create these wondrous walls which people hang to. So when I stumbled across these photos of the contrast of the textures of chocolate and chalk, I fell in love. 

Chalk is one thing a climber needs a lot of. Since J and I started climbing I've had to buy five more bags of chalk already. The chalk photographed here is from the Chalk Cliffs of Møns Klint in Denmark and were taken by amazing photographer Ulf Svane. Cereal Magazine has compared these images with the three photographs of chocolate in its various forms, taken by blogger Anne Moltke Hansen of Anne Au Chocolat. I could look at those chalk photographs all day... There is just something about the colouring and texture that draws me in.

Weylandts

South African Furniture and Lifestyle retailer Weylandts is coming to Australia. The family run store started in 1964 in Nambia and has for the past 25 years been under the care of Chris Weylandt. Known internationally for its curation of a mix of products sources from around the world that features raw materials, modern designs and sustainable techniques. 

CEO Chris Weylandt says of the new Melbourne store, due to open November 15,  'I have always known that Australia and South Africa share a similar appreciation for the home and good living, and in particular, Melbourne with its culture centred on design and the arts. I knew that it was the perfect location for the first Australian Weylandts store.' The Melbourne store will feature furniture, homewares, fashion and food. So keen to do a trip down and check it out!!

Food Rant #1

Coming to the end of week two of the 8-week I Quit Sugar program I feel like it's what I want to write about. I don't normally write about myself, or food in fact but since this is the most exciting different thing i've done in a while it is kind of taking over my thoughts. Quitting sugar is somewhat easy and crazy hard at the same time. The first six weeks of the program is the detox... so no sugar is allowed including fruit. I think this is probably the worst part for me. Every time I crave sugar I think 'this craving would be fixed if I could just eat an apple or some grapes or strawberries!!'. It's alright though... most of the time sugar isn't in main meals so it's easy to not eat it. It's just when you snack that it's hard... and I seem to snack a lot.

During the two weeks so far I've tried out a few recipes from Sarah Wilson's I Quit Sugar book. I've decided that I love a lot of the savoury recipes but when it comes to trying to make sweet things, with substitute sweeteners then its pretty gross. My taste buds just want real sweetness! Real sugar!

But I've been looking at heaps of blogs and getting inspired, especially for after week six when I can have fruit again! Secret Squirrel Food is one of my favourite inspirations at the moment. Just check out some of the creations by Melbourne born Karen McLean. YUM!

Mish Delish

Mish Lilley is a Melbourne based mum, food stylist and cook. Back in 2006, when starting a family Lilley also started up her food blog Mish Delish. I love scouring through the recipes on the blog and seeing the beautifully styled images. Lilley even makes mac-n-cheese look delicious! 

Anyway, recently Est Magazine (specifically Tara Pearce) photographed her two-storey terrace house in Melbourne. It is clear that Lilley is not only good at styling food...

Bindle

I've known about Bindle for some time now thanks to the amount of Australian blogs that have fallen head over heels for them. But I was reminded again about them after the Blog Society launch on the weekend, as the goodie bag had a bindle card in it. So I looked further into the background of what a Bindle is and was delighted to read that Catherine, Bindle's director, carefully selects every part of each Bindle from local Australian creatives and artisans. How could I not share them on my blog when they support up & coming Australian artisans!!

Q. What is Bindle?

A. Bindle is an eco gift service that blends sustainability with style. Bindle engages local artisans to produce Australian, hand-made, tailored gift packages. There are Bindles for every occasion and every part of the creation is Australian - the products within them; the boxes that contain them; the hands that wrapped them.

Q. How did you come to start Bindle?

A. I faced an ever-recurring small nightmare of trying to find inspired gifts for friends and family for milestone occasions. A combination of local produce becoming less and less a feature in gift purchases, my creative impulses needing an airing, and in spying a niche in the market I decided to take the plunge and Bindle was born.

Q. What is your background and has that helped in the creation of Bindle?

A. I believe all experiences carve a path in some way, some more obvious than others. So I suppose my studies in Landscape Architecture takes the shape of creativity and relative roles in the IT world have contributed to the more practical side of business? Possibly clutching at straws here!

Q. Where did you find out about the local artisans work that are included in each Bindle?

A. I trawled markets, gourmet food delis, design stores and glued myself to the internet to find items that fit the shape and mold of the concepts i wanted to present. However, the stories behind the artisans work and the relationships i have built with individuals has been very significant in selection of different products.

Q. Why do you think it's important to support local artisans?

A. We are all witnessing the world becoming a lot smaller due to globalisation, and local producers suffering as a result. I am passionate about communicating and promoting the talented individuals at our doorstep. The personality and creativity they invest in different areas of trade bring life to gifts. It’s the inter-relationships that make each Bindle unique. The artisans, farmers, families, friends, and recipients. Each experience and exchange influences the final product both in a physical and in an attitudinal one. 

Q. Who are 5 of your favorite current Australian artisans?

A. This is such a difficult question...

MelbourneRooftop Honey, Treehorn Design, Tufts ceramics, Full of Grace Granola, and Tinker Printink. Behind all of these beautiful products are amazing people with infectious enthusiasm.

Q. What are your top resources for inspiration on Australian design?

A. Design Blogs, markets, Design Made Trade, and visiting the artisans studio’s in person.

Q. What’s the style of your home interior?

A. Eclectic. Everything means something.

Q. Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

A. In a welcoming home with lots of stories to tell, a herb garden, and giggling children at my feet.

mushroom cake

mushroom cake!