i found you in melbourne

More on Children in Nepal...

2010-06-08T14:16:00.005+10:00

Recently I wrote a post on volunteering in Nepal. A number of people expressed an interest in helping out. When I wrote the post I was home in Australia and I wasn't sure the best advice to give people... Two weeks ago I arrived back in Nepal. The children's home I was working at has been facing so many problems; the website crashed and couldn't take donations, the management board had a falling out and decided to split into two separate homes, finance problems, health problems...

I have been totally disillusioned. I didn't have enough money to solve the financial problems of two orphanages. I am a student. I have very limited resources and no experience working with children. I suddenly had two organisations asking me for financial and child welfare guidance. It was a major head fuck. I mean I am the kind of person who is too irresponsible to keep a houseplant alive.

I was ready to bail. I wanted out. It was too big. And then I went on an over night trip and saw some children from the village. They have nothing. They are dirty, sick, hungry, uneducated and at some point all of the children who I have been working with were in this situation. I suddenly realised I've got this. I can't fix everything but I can try to help instead of freaking out.

So for those of you who wanted to donate last time the website is up and running again. Click here to view. I can monitor all the donations and ensure the money goes to the right places. Also it'd be great if some of you could put a link up to the site on your blogs. It helps our google rating which hopefully will help us get some more volunteers.

2010-05-18T18:27:00.000+10:00

MoVida

2010-05-16T18:03:00.002+10:00

I first tried to book a table for two on a Sunday night and the lady on the phone laughed at me. Evenings at MoVida seem to book out well in advance, after lunch there today I can see why.

The food was amazing. We went for a combination of 3 tapas and 3 racions which was enough food for two. I recommend giving the anchovies and tomato sorbet a try. The special today was the venison, usually I don't eat meat but it was delicious.

I don't have any pictures of the food. The restaurant was a little to fancy to pull out my camera without feeling like an idiot. Check out the website for the menu.

MoVida
Open daily, Noon to late.
1 Hosier Lane, Melbourne, 3000

The reason I've been busy...

2010-04-22T09:52:00.004+10:00

This isn't strictly Melbourne related but it explains my lack of Melbourne related posting. I was away in Nepal volunteering in a small children's home. The trip to Nepal was enough to completely change my ways of thinking but working at the home changed the way i feel. Being around a group of children who want nothing more than your attention and affection (and the occasional candy) breaks your heart.

It was hard. There were days where i cried a lot. It was difficult to know i couldn't fix everything for them. The whole time i was there i kept thinking "i am going back to warm showers, hot meals and a comfortable bed and these children will still be here feeling hungry and cold."

i have been trying to raise enough funds to get all of the children into a private school. i don't mean a school with a fancy pool, computer labs and state of the art gym. i don't even mean a school where they have music or art class. i have simply been trying to arrange them an education at a school where the teachers can read and write in Nepali and have basic teaching skills.

So far i haven't been able to achieve this goal... i'm about $1000 away from them all being able to go to school for a year. Everyone keeps telling me that i should be proud of the money i have raised for them so far but i know nearly getting them into school doesn't help anyone. It doesn't make it easier when our website broke, paypal froze our account and i had to spend a small fortune to register a business name in order to open a bank account.

I keep telling myself not to focus on the problems, just think how good it will be to see them all off to a good school. So after you read this cross your fingers for me. I need all the good thoughts and luck I can muster.

And if you are looking for an international volunteer placement check out the website. All the fees go to supporting the children and it is a locally run organisation. Volunteer in Nepal.

Save Lentil

2010-04-08T15:25:00.003+10:00

Lentil as Anything has been a Melbourne institution for as long as I can recall. I remember the last time Kate and I went there and we realised we only had a few dollars between us. At any other restaurant we would have been in trouble but at Lentil as Anything we just slipped our coins in the 'donation' box and we were home free. We promised ourselves next time we would pay twice as much to make up the difference. I guess it is time we made good on our promise.

The Abbotsford Convent are looking to discontinue the lease of Lentil As Anything Community Restaurant in January next year.

This is terrible news. Lentil as Anything provide support and hospitality training for refugees, youth and other members of our community who are struggling to find an opportunity. Lentil are helping to address isolation experienced by new migrants and socially isolated people.

There is a petition here. Or you can drop into one of the Lentil as Anything restaurants and sign there.

Lentil as Anything__ Abbotsford Convent
1 St. Heliers Street,

Abbotsford, Victoria 3067

(03) 9419 6444196444

Lentil as Anything _ St Kilda
41 Blessington St
St Kilda VIC 3182
(03) 9534 5833

Lentil as Anything _ Footscray
233 Barkly Street,
Footscray VIC
Phone: 0424 081 652

Bit of shameless self-promotion...

2009-11-05T20:46:00.004+11:00

So I'm going to do a bit of selfless promotion here...but it's Melbourne related so I think it's allowed?

This is just a little post to announce that my website I have been working on for the last couple of months is FINALLY up!!

I have been working as a jeweller for the last 5 years, and earlier this year I have gone out as my own boss! It been very exciting and rewarding and I am loving every minute.

I specializes in ‘custom-made, one-off pieces’ designed and handmade with a special emphasis on sustainable practices. Having a piece of handmade jewellery made is a pretty exciting and special experience, and I really enjoy working with people to be able to design custom-made piece of their dreams.

Please head over to my website, Kate Shore Jewellery to check it out :)

Organic wines

2009-10-20T14:39:00.008+11:00

Picture from Mr. T in DC

Lately I have been trying to eat and drink organic. It can be hard on a limited budget and it can be even harder when you live with someone who struggles to see the benefit of paying an extra 50 cents for free range eggs.

I am trying to introduce the organic concept a step at a time. I thought a good way to get my boyfriend involved would be to start seeking out organic wines. It has become a bit of a game: 'who can find the best wine for the best price'.

It hasn't been an easy game. Our local liquor store only had one and a store clerk who asked "Organic wine? Why would you want that?" A trip to the liquor superstore resulted in three bottles of red.

Then my boyfriend surprised me. He asked if i was interested in carbon offsetting. I wasn't really sure. I had a look around and it isn't easy to find organic wines which also offset their carbon omissions. So i decided to start looking for organic wines which are grown in Victoria. I used organicwine.com.au, an online wine retailer specialising in organic wine, biodynamic wine, preservative free wine.

I have three favourites for you. They are all certified organic and grown in Victoria.

Captains Creek 2008 Moorookyle Chardonnay from Daylesford in the Macedon Ranges (Picture from organicwine.com.au)

The Carlei Green Vineyards / Sergio Bio Organic winery in Yarra Valley, Port Phillip have an organic and vegan friendly Pinot Noir, Chardonay and Sauvignon blanc.

Kangaroo Hills in Daylesford in the Macedon Ranges has a Pinot Grigio which won a Silver medal at the 2009 Australia / New Zealand Wine Show.

I will be in Daylesford in a couple of weeks so a winery trip might be in order. If you know of any other local organic wines. Leave us a comment and we will be only too happy to give them a try!

Reasons #4389 why I love Melbourne...

2009-10-01T14:37:00.004+10:00

Yesterday I found myself at Doncaster Shoppingtown waiting to pick up some photo's. I had an hour to kill so I made my way to Cafe Moda to have myself a coffee and flick through the newspaper.

I sat myself down and browsed through the pile of magazines and newspapers and found a book! I opened it up and realised it wasn't just any book.... It was a travelling book! It had been left at the coffee shop for anyone to find and read, and pass it on to someone else...

Has anybody else heard of BookCrossing? I hadn't, but I am sure glad that I have now! The idea is that people sign up to the bookcrossing website and they can "release" books into the "wild" for other people to find. Whoever find the book can log onto the website and enter the registration code and see who else has read it and where it has been! After they have read it, the process starts all over again!

I think this idea is so much fun! I love that I can see who else has read it and what they thought, and its totally free!! Head over here to find out some more about it and get involved!

Big thanks to whoever left this little treasure for me to find :)

image by teecer

Melbourne Dossier

2009-09-12T22:40:00.004+10:00

A while ago we said we wanted to do a few posts on people we met and admired around Melbourne. I am finally delivering one of mine.

I met Michael in a bar, the way I meet most of the men in my life. He does a number of cool things, animation and such, but mostly he makes me laugh and there is nothing cooler then that. I thought I'd show you one of his creations and then hit him with some questions... so BIG thanks to Michael and here we go:

Michael - fledgling animator/filmmaker/bartender/gallery volunteer

How long have you been living in Melbourne: all my life (thats almost 22 years, yes sir born and raised)

Favorite thing about Melbourne: ok well i know how snobbish and wanky this sounds but it really is just the general cultural vibe of the place. Cool shops, galleries, people, bars, things going on etc. sorry to be a cliche but yeah it feels like every suburb has its own unique highlights, that i really dig. Also the climate.

Least favorite thing: definately the public transport system. Oooh if i had a swear jar.... this includes the trams, way overrated, buses are better.

Best place for a cheap meal: might i suggest Don-Dons on swanston st. 6-8 bucks will give you a decent value-for-money japanese meal. Great for loners popping in at night after work or uni (ie: me). Thanks go to my brother for introducing me to the joint.

Usual hangouts: well seeing as i live in Brunswick now i tend to roam around there a lot; cool shops and reasonably priced compared to all the other hip happening, jiving, uber-swinging, chilling, grooving, funking, jazzing, fazzing inner-suburbs. Yeah op-shopping is fun, if you're into that thing but if you're gonna bump into me anywhere it'll most likely be at the Brunswick Bound bookstore... looking at dvd's oddly enough. then ill go to JB Hi-Fi and check out the books... also edinburgh castle tend to have decent gigs.

Exhibition: Save the Cerberus

2009-08-31T16:15:00.005+10:00

picture by Regina Hona

I will be honest, before receiving this media release neither of us had heard of the Cerberus. I honestly had no idea what this exhibition was for but then I'm not really a Melbourne local and I live on North side.

A bit of research and now I think this is a really important. I love history and The HMVS Cerberus is a little piece of Melbourne's Naval History. It's a Melbourne icon. Built in 1868, Cerberus is the only surviving Ironclad Monitor in the world, and the oldest surviving Warship to have served in the Royal Australian Navy.

Since the 1920's HMVS Cerberus has been serving as a Breakwater off Black Rock in Port Phillip Bay. Now I am having a bit of trouble finding out why exactly the Cerberus ending up here so if anyone knows please leave us a comment.

So the Cerberus has survived 140 years but it is in danger of collapse if it does not receive external bracing. The Save the Cerberus campaign has only received a fraction of the amount needed to avoid the total collapse of the heritage listed ship.

Tamsin Davidson of Pivotal Galleries and the Friends of the Cerberus are putting on a Special Save the Cerberus Art Exhibition 7-18 October 2009 It will featuring many new original artworks by leading contemporary Australian artists, alongside paintings, photographs, a large model and artifacts from the ship including a huge 10 inch shell.

Tamsin said " We hope we can provide a lot of extra publicity as the Government ponders if they should provide the roughly $2 million Cerberus needs."

The Grand Opening of the Exhibition at 6.30pm on 7th October 2009 will feature many VIP guests & members of the 'Victorian Navy' in full 19th Century Naval rig. A proportion of the profits from sales of paintings going to the Save the Cerberus campaign.

Picture by Darren Doye

SPECIAL SAVE THE CERBERUS EXHIBITION

DATE: OCTOBER 7- 18 , 2009

GRAND OPENING NIGHT- SPECIAL SAVE THE CERBERUS EXHIBITION

DATE: October 7,2009

TIME: 6.30-9pm

PLACE: PIVOTAL GALLERIES,

442 BRIDGE ROAD

RICHMOND Vic 3121.

For further information please contact: Pivotal Galleries

442 Bridge Road Richmond VIC 3121

Tel: 03 9429 7755

Adventure day!

2009-08-30T20:46:00.007+10:00

This weekend I once again found myself having a lovely adventure in the city. This time I met up with my friend Ben for some exploring - we were lucky enough to check out several very good and a not so good exhibition, and have outselves some very good coffee and some very good wine. Wow, that was a lot of 'goods'... what can I say? It was a good day!

image from lamington drive website

Worth checking out is Rik Lee at Lamington Drive, which we mentioned a little while ago, Creepy at Gorker Gallery and Ghost Patrol and Sean Edward Whelan at No-Vacancy. And when I say "worth checking out" I really really mean it. I always have good intentions for checking out all the amazing exhibitions across Melbourne but often never make it to them, but on Saturday, despite the miserable rain and wind, I made it. So if I can, you can!

image from Seven Seeds website

I FINALLY made it to Seven Seeds, and now I see what the big deal! I love the coffee, I love the building, and even though I resisted the lamingtons and cupcakes they looked SO good and I am sure I will be back again soon to love them too!

We finished the day with wine at South Paw on Gertrude Street! Talk about a dream day. Big thanks to Ben for letting me tag along for some stickering as well....

It's that time again!!

2009-08-25T18:22:00.004+10:00

It's time for another blogger/twitter meet and greet! Anyone who chickened out or was too busy to make it to the last one, here is you chance to come have a drink and a chat with some interesting characters and put faces to blogs.

It will be on Saturday 12th September at Sister Bella in Snider Lane (off Drewery Lane) at 4pm. Head over to My Aching Head to read some more about it and check out a map. Last time was lots of fun, very casual and a great opportunity to meet some new people, so do come along!

A big thankyou for Michael for organising it... again...

image by felip1

Sunday in the city...

2009-08-23T20:13:00.008+10:00

Yesterday I had a visit to the city to catch up with my friend Sophie who was back in town for the weekend. We met up at Little Cupcakes - I have been meaning to get here for ages and try out their delicious cupcakes so it was an exciting day for me!!

Little Cupcakes is a lovely place to waste away a few hours in the afternoon people watching and chatting with an old friend. Their coffee was great and their cupcakes were DELICIOUS! We had carrot, white chocolate and some sort of chocolate ganache, and by all reports, all were good!

The shop was VERY busy, there was quite a line of people waiting to purchase themselves an afternoon treat, but we didn't have to wait to long at all. The service was great and the staff were helpful and friendly! They also do custom orders for special occasions! Yum!

Of course I forgot my camera... but at least I have an excuse to go back again soon :)

Little Cupcakes

Shop 7, Degraves Street, City.
(03) 9077 0413

image from little cupcakes website

Open Day: Nicholas Building

2009-08-21T09:28:00.003+10:00

image by Dean-Melbourne

One of my favorite buildings in Melbourne is the Nicholas Building. My fascination started when I first started jewellery making and got to know a few of the jewellers with their studio's in this building. I love the stairwells, the roof, and that elevator!

So it's that time of the year again! The Nicholas Building Open Day. Or days rather. Over two nights next week, Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th, from 4-9pm, the artisans and creatives of this beautiful building will be opening their doors and giving us all a behind the scene look at what goes on in here, as well as giving us the chance to purchase or commission something of our own.

You can head over to the Nicholas Building blog to find out more, and to see some work out the artists you will be able to view, and you can check out a great post on The Design Files right here about last year's Open House. Mark it in your diaries right now!

http://www.thenicholasbuilding.blogspot.com
27th & 28th August 2009

4pm-9pm (both nights)
37 Swanston Street
Melbourne 3000

(corner of Flinders Lane and Swanston Street)

Rik Lee exhibition: ONE LAST LATE NIGHT

2009-08-20T18:00:00.001+10:00

I'm a bit late with this one... exhibition opening is starting right this INSTANT, but it will be on at Lamington Drive until the 12th of September so you have plenty of time and no excuse not to make it there!

Rik Lee is a Melbourne illustrator who has the quirkiest most lovely drawings I have seen in a long while. He has the ability to make the everyday normal things seem beautiful and colourful and leave you wanting more. I can't wait to get down to Lamington Drive to check it out

His blog is definitely worth a browse (but not if you have pressing engagements as you will still be still there browsing in a few hours) and his recently opened shop has some great prints available.

Image from Rik Lee

It was always too good to be true...

2009-08-19T20:50:00.003+10:00

picture from flight global

Tiger's $28 flights Melbourne to Canberra are soon to be a thing of the past. Tiger is dumping the flight to focus on the more profitable Melbourne to Sydney route.

A round trip between Melbourne and Canberra could be purchased for as little as $56, after October the next cheapest option will be $170. I know I am probably the only person in the country interested in traveling between Melbourne and Canberra but this is a huge price difference.

I was just having a little look at the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and not only is it seriously lacking in information, there seems to be nothing on Domestic tourism. It is pretty much geared towards international visitors and capturing foreign tourist dollars. Well what about my tourist dollars? Why isn't anyone trying to cater to my travel needs? I would have thought during this tough financial time the government would want to encourage us to stay local and spend our dollars here.

And while I am having a rant what the hell does Tourism Australia do? Their website states one of their main objectives is to influence Australians to travel in Australia. Well Tourism Australia, what have you done for me lately? I'd love to do some domestic travelling but frankly I see more promos for New Zealand and it is cheaper for me to fly there then it is for me to fly to most Aussie destinations.

Ok, Ok, rant over.

2009-08-17T20:48:00.001+10:00

I've been looking at buying a building in Brunswick, I'm loving the graffiti on the side of it...

i like you

2009-08-13T11:17:00.006+10:00

Recently we received word from Petina at i like you in Fitzroy telling us some exciting news! If you love Campers, if you love Vintage... brace yourself:

Along with with supporting and showcasing great independent designers i like you is now also stocking vintage Campers and Melissa shoes.

All the shoes are second-hand: some have a few scuff marks but others never been worn, and many are from old collections or sold out in Australia. Prices range from $30 to $170 with new shipments arriving weekly! You can read about new stock coming into the store on the i like you blog to be sure you don't miss out!

Head in straight away to snap yourself up a pair, but get there soon before I buy them all up!

I like you
80 Johnson Street, Fitzroy
03 94170399 or ilikeyou@y7mail.com

The Moroccan Soup Bar

2009-08-05T11:14:00.007+10:00

First thing, make a reservation. We arrived at 6.30pm on a weeknight and the place was packed. The staff seemed less then impressed that we had just turned up without bothering to make a booking. After being given a table on the condition we had finished our meals by 7.30, we were starting to wonder if we should have gone somewhere else but I am glad to say the food was AMAZING! The pictures below do not do it justice.

The menu is a spoken menu, meaning the waitress describes the food to you. I found this a little confronting because I like to look at all the options. I admit we were a bit cowardly and selected the first thing she told us about. It was worth it. The two person banquet was enough food for a small country. Two Vegetarian courses and coffee and cake/slice. I can't talk it up enough. I have no idea what we were eating but it was so full of flavor. I could eat there every night.

183 St Georges Rd
Fitzroy North 3068 VIC
Phone: (03) 9482 4240
Open Tuesday - Sunday for dinner
cash only

Local Product: i make stuff

2009-08-04T07:50:00.000+10:00

...well, I do... but I'm actually referring to this:

A new book from handmadelife that asked 25 makers from around the world 'why they make stuff'. Illustrators, jewellers, painters, graffiti artists, toymakerts, musicians, sculptors.... the list goes on and on... let us into their world and share why they do what they do, including these lovely locals.

It might just be because I'm nosey, but I love these kind of books. I love looking into people's lives and see where and what it is that makes them tick and keeps them creating. I'm hanging out to get my own copy! You can pick your own copy up here, and head on over the the handmadelife blog to read more.

All images from handmadelife

Two Ruffians

2009-08-02T14:28:00.010+10:00

I was flicking through an old magazine and i stumbled across a little tid-bit about Melbourne self taught designer and printer, Nick Young. After some super sleuthing (Google where would I be without you?) I located the Two Ruffians web-page and a plethora of screen-printed goodies. The range includes cards, tea-towels,shirts, bags and other homewares. I am particularly fond of these:

I'm smitten with the love birds card but I can't find a better picture.

Head over to the Two Ruffians and have a little look. You can order online or pick up some pieces from Lulu Design store. Pictures from Two Ruffians and Daily Imprint.

ifoundyouinmelbourne gets dirty!

2009-07-29T07:58:00.000+10:00

Not THAT kinda dirty... dirty as in actual dirt. Tree planting.

National Tree Day is coming up this weekend, Sunday August 2nd, and its a great opportunity to volunteer some time and come together together to make a difference. By planting a local native tree you can help to provide food and shelter for native wildlife, combat habitat loss, offset carbon emissions. and increase native biodiversity.

Anyone can get involved, just jump onto their website and find your nearest participating location, and then turn up on the day, or you can gather a few friends together and coordinate your own tree planting site. Too easy really! Hope to see some of you there!

images from National Tree Day website

Help needed!!

2009-07-28T19:42:00.005+10:00

Okay I'm calling on everybody who may stumble upon our blog to help me out! I have family visiting soon and I am looking some fun adventures for them. They are here for a week or so and I'm looking for the best free or cheap things Melbourne has to do and see, doesn't need to be in the city necessarily: think far and wide!

Hit me with suggestions please!! Your help would be greatly appreciated :)

image by Chiaochi @ Sydney

Round She Goes Pre-Loved Markets

2009-07-27T10:47:00.009+10:00

Photos from Round She Goes Facebook Group

I am a big fan of markets. I love spending an afternoon rummaging through handmade crafts, second hand clothes, and bits of junk. I recently stumbled on to the website for the Round She Goes Market and I'm really excited to check it out. The Round She Goes Markets is a women's Pre-Loved Fashion Market which features vintage clothes, jewelry, and crafts (a few of my favourite things).

Emma Morris, one of the founders of Round She Goes, said the idea for Round She Goes started as an efficient way to off-load her pre-loved clothes. "There are plenty of markets in Melbourne, but none specifically for females clothes of high quality and selling on online is a bit of a hassle too. I’m apparently not alone, because stalls at Round She Goes sell out months in advance, and we’ve had nothing but positive feedback from sellers".

"I seem to have created my own fashion-shopping heaven – high quality stuff that is unique and most importantly – affordable!"

A smaller Round She Goes is set for August 8 and a full scale market on October 4. For more information the web site has contact details and can be accessed here: Round She Goes

A mini Round She Goes

Melbourne Central

When: Saturday 8 August 2009

Time: 10am–6pm

Where: Level 1 Link Bridge, Melbourne Central, Melbourne

entry: Free!

The next Round She Goes ...

When: Sunday 4 October 2009

Time: 10am–3pm

Where: The Camberwell (Civic) Centre, 340 Camberwell Rd,

Camberwell, 3124, VIC

entry: $2

The Humble Vintage

2009-07-23T18:37:00.003+10:00

I love this idea! Saw it today in three thousand and had to spread the love a little further. The Humble Vintage will rent you a bike (a cool one at that) for $20 a day or $60 dollars for the week, and throw in a helmet, lock, lights and a map! The only problem I see is that I probably won't want to part with it...

More information at their site or email them at hire[at]thehumblevintage.com.

image from The Humble Vintage

Skipping girl up in lights!

2009-07-21T10:29:00.004+10:00

video by Michael

Has anyone seen The Skipping Girl Vinegar is back up in lights? I had heard rumours that it was but was yet to see it with my own eyes. Michael from My Aching Head sent us over a snippet of the girl in action. Thanks!

Explained here:
"The "Little Audrey" neon sign, also known as "Skipping Girl" first lit up the sky in the 1930s. But it has not been fully illuminated in eight years.

The sign was taken down after a public appeal raised more than $100,000 for repairs and maintenance.

Martin Purlow of the National Trust said the Skipping Girl was nominated as a children's icon. "Obviously a lot of people have got a lot of love for Audrey so it really hasn't been difficult to get the public's imagination with this project," he said.

Jenny Hume of the Friends of Audrey said they collected 3,000 signatures of people wanting to get her skipping again.

"They all said, I remember when. We remember," she said.

The sign will be powered by renewable energy when "Little Audrey" is turned back on in June.

The 67 year old sign fell into disrepair and was turned off in 2001."

We're Back!!!

2009-07-17T10:09:00.005+10:00

Thanks for waiting. I admit the temporary lull in posting was my fault again. Are you beginning to notice a pattern? I decided to be a little gypsy for a few weeks. I have settled for now and so (whooooo) we can get back to the general appreciation of our great city.

We have a couple of little changes planned. The main one is we are hoping to have more guest posts from people telling us there secret spots around Melbourne. Though, this change really depends on you guys and if anyone is willing to share the local knowledge. Anyway more about that down the track...

So it is again time for one of those public service posts where I share something of an informative rather then entertaining nature. I want to tell you about my mechanic. I am not sure if it is a girl thing or a general lacking in mechanical knowledge thing but I hate taking my car to the mechanic. When I get there I have no idea what needs doing, I don't know how much it should cost, the first time I took my car in to the shop I wasn't even sure what type of car it was (a white one?)

Picture from Epic Fail

Being originally from NSW my car is still registered here. I recently needed to get a roadworthy certificate (a rego check if you are in NSW). I had never had to do this before. I called up the guys at Tech Drive and asked them if they could do a NSW rego check here in Melbourne... they didn't know.

At first I was thinking maybe I should go somewhere else but then I realised here is a mechanic that could have just taken my money, done nothing to my car and sent me on my way. After some research I booked my car in. The guys who work in the shop out there were so helpful. They explained what they where going to do and how long it would take. They also called me up and explained the work that needed doing to pass roadworthy and how much it would cost.

All up for my roadworthy certificate, some adjustments that I can't remember and new wiper blades (they always replace those but it is so much better afterwards) it was only $119. I can't believe how cheap it was and how nice and patient the mechanic was with me. I recommend them if you need something done to your car and you have no idea like me.

So all that said Tech Drive is out in Greensborough. It's a bit of a hike but it saved me about $100 on my last roadworthy (in NSW you have to get a roadworthy every year).

Tech Drive

17 Simms Rd

Greensborough VIC 3088, Australia

+61 3 9432 8882

temporary hiatus

2009-07-04T18:16:00.003+10:00

Things have been a bit quiet on the ifoundyouinmelbourne homefront, and will continue to be for a little while. We are on temporary hiatus whilst Amanda is taking a holiday travelling through the countryside examining her options.

See you back soon!

image by laurabaabaa

Guest post: Circus Oz Review

2009-06-22T17:45:00.005+10:00

As promised, here is the second exciting post! Two in one day!! This is the first guest post we've ever had here and its brought to you by Mr. Sketchy. He's recently done a review of Circus Oz and we'd love to share it here! Head over to his blog to see some great drawings, read some interesting ramblings, and learn about the imminent invasion of aliens from Xzzffaght.

Also, we've been tossing around the idea of having a few guest posts lately, as we can't get around this great city to see and do everything! We're always on the look out for new and exciting things so if you have any ideas, be sure to shoot us an email...

And with that said:

all images from Circus Oz

First of all, let me say I’ve never written a review in my life. I think it has something to do with the number of times “tasteless” has been to describe my opinions…

But I’ve decided to move beyond that, simply because this is something that needs to be told.

Circus Oz rocks. Really, that is what it all comes down to!

PS. I’ve just been told that isn’t really a review. In fact it has been rudely point out that it barely qualifies as a thought! So for all those people that demand that ‘information’ thing…

The Circus Oz show is an incredible mix of skill and laughter delivered by a performance group with a social conscience.

The performers are all multi-skilled, allowing a variety of acts including, trapeze, tumbling, skating, feats of strength, incredible rope work and an interesting integration of music into the show…

There was less of an overall theme to the show this year as there has been in previous seasons, however several of the acts are related and characters make repeat appearances throughout the show, separated by acts that are just amazing to watch. In many cases the performers supporting an act will be entertaining to watch in their own right.

In the past years, I’ve had a few of my more prudish friends express shock at some of the humour, believing it sometimes get risqué for a family show. (Not to mention some years, the show will have a strong social commentary and some shows that I’ve seen has focused on issues such as immigration or media induced body image problems). All I can say is that at the show I saw last night, children’s laughter could be heard often and loudly during the performance.

The Melbourne 2009 Show runs from 17th June - 12th July (see the Circus Oz website www.circusoz.com for other locations) and more details are here

The tickets vary between $47.00 - $69.90 for Adults, $26-$45.00 for children, with Pensioner & Family rates available.* Tickets available here.

The (heated) big top is located at Birrarung Marr, between Federation Square and Batman Avenue.

Oh, and while there is a large amount of really interesting history behind the Circus, which has been operating for over 30 years (see their website for the background) there is one thing I wanted to point out:

Circus Oz calls Melbourne their home town and this year they are looking for a larger place to set up. I’m sure buying a ticket will help them out and give you an enjoyable night out, so everyone wins!

*All information gathered from the web. So if it’s not accurate, it’s my fault and know one else’s. But don’t complain to me, cause I don’t care and will likely get very rude. I mean really, if your not going to double check information you get from some called “mr sketchy” there really isn’t anything I can do for you…

The Melbourne Dossier: Ben Zen

2009-06-22T16:56:00.010+10:00

Today we have a new Melbourne Dossier, featuring Ben from Ben Zen Illustrations. Ben's blog is one of my favorites, full of the loveliest drawings you ever will see, that I visit very regularly, so it is very exciting that he agreed to tell us about Melbourne...

How long have you lived in Melbourne?

I only moved to Melbourne about a year ago from country NSW, so I'm still fairly new!

What do you do with yourself?

I work full time as a Graphic Designer but I also like to hide away in my bedroom and draw pictures which I publish to my blog. Sometimes I also do little drawings on stickers and put them around in the streets.

image from Ben's blog

Best place in Melbourne to...

...have a coffee?

We're pretty spoilt for choice here in Melbourne when it comes to coffee. I don't think I've ever had a bad coffee here, but every now and then you come across one that really stands out... I love Arcadia in Gertrude St, Fitzroy and Seven Seeds in Berkeley St, Carlton. They're a couple of my favorite places, not only for the coffee, but the atmosphere.

...have breakfast?

I had a pretty fine breakfast at Seven Seeds on the weekend. You also can't go past breakfast at Brunetti's in Faraday Street, Carlton. Their pastries and cakes are amazing, it's like a Melbourne institution, so it's a great place to try if you're after a unique Melbourne experience.

image from Seven Seeds

...meet people?

If you're creative, there's so many things to get involved in. If you love sketching you should come along to Sketchcrawl, Dr Sketchys or Sketch City. Most of the little galleries in the City/Fitzroy areas have openings for each new exhibition, so they're also great to go along to.

...see/hear/experience some art or culture?

There always seems to be something on, so if you just wander in the city for long enough you're sure to come across something exciting. There always seems to be something on at Federation Square. Fitzroy is a great area to explore too. Some worthwhile places to check out are the Lamington Drive Gallery, Gorker Gallery and Rose St Artist Markets. But basically, don't be afraid to wander up the side-streets, because you never know what you'll come across!

Perfect way to spend a Melbourne day?

Hmm... maybe a sleep in, followed by brunch somewhere, then a wander around the city. Maybe a tram ride to Brunswick street that afternoon for a bit of a stroll and gallery crawl, then finish the day off having a few beers and some tapas at a little bar hidden up a laneway somewhere in the city.

Hop tip/must see for someone new or visiting Melbourne?

Don't just stay in the city. Take the tram out to some areas like St Kilda Beach, Brunswick St, Lygon St etc and go exploring. They're the places that are unique to Melbourne.

image by Appljax

Who are some Melbourne locals that interest and inspire you?

Basically any artist who is doing their thing and getting their work out there. There's so many great artists and illustrators in Melbourne, such as Andrea Innocent, Kat McLeod, Ghost Patrol and Miso.

Tell us a Melbourne hidden gem?

A friend and I discovered this great little restaurant on Nicholson St, North Carlton called Little Zephyr Kitchen, which serves Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food. I've taken friends visiting from Sydney there a couple of times because I think it's got a very Melbourne feel to it, and they have the most amazing Gnocchi.

Favorite Melbourne blogs or websites?

Three thousand. A great guide to everything happening in Melbourne, such as bands, exhibitions etc. You can subscribe to their newsletter and every Thursday you'll get an email with everything that's coming up for the week ahead.

Only in Melbourne can you _____________________??

Have a bit of everything at your fingertips, and find something new each time you head into the city. It's so cultural here and I love it!

image from Ben's blog

A big thanks to Ben for playing along! Go check out his blog to see more of his work :)

okay...

2009-06-22T10:36:00.001+10:00

alright I think we are back on track!! Yay!!! Except we had to delete that whole post which took us AGES, and I can't be bothered typing it all up again just now... however we have TWO very exciting posts coming up soon...

technical difficulties

2009-06-18T20:11:00.000+10:00

Okay so we are having a few technical difficulties at the moment... with Internet Explorer... suprise suprise... so that is why our blog may have disappeared... stay tuned....

HARAJUKU CREPES

2009-06-06T12:40:00.007+10:00

Japanese crepes? I wasn't aware the Japanese were big crepe eaters but I'm not one to say no to sweets. They claim to be the first AND the best Japanese crepes in the city. Now I can neither confirm nor deny this but they were pretty dam good.

If you like sweets and have no regard for your sugar intake I recommend you try them. I had the cold nutella Ice cream crepe. After three days in a sugar coma I can tell you I'll be going back for more.

If you aren't into sweets the creepy fake plastic display case is worth a look just for the humours kitch Japanese factor. Keep an eye out for the plastic tuna crepe( if anyone is willing to try the tuna crepe I'd love to come along and document).

image from Harajuku Crepes

I have a hair emergency

2009-06-03T09:42:00.004+10:00

Ok this post isn't about what I have found in Melbourne it is about what I am hoping someone else has found... A decent hairdresser!

This is what I am starting to look like. Picture from Spy to die 4

I have a long history of bad hair. It is true. I was a kid in the 80s so courtesy of my mum, i had: a mullet, a bowl cut and a really big teased fringe. Things didn't really improve that much when I started making my own hair decisions, I had pink, blue, purple, choc top (blonde on top, dark on the bottom).

My hair has been a disaster until I met Paul. Paul was my hairdresser/housemate in Canberra. He was a hairdressing god. He was the best colourist I have been to and he had me rocking an awesome fringe for a while.

Alas, now I live in Melbourne and I can't drive 8 hours just for a cut. I need help! I haven't had a hair cut since I moved here. My fringe now covers my nose and I have at least four inches of blonde at the top with brown at the bottom.

I understand most men will have stopped reading by now so ladies if you have a good hairdresser PLEASE let me know! It has gotten to the stage where I actually want to cry when I look at my hair.

more fairies...

2009-06-01T16:22:00.004+10:00

One of my favorite things in the world is people who do things Just Cos It'd Good. Not to make money, not to raise their profile, just because they thought it would be good.

One of these such things is the Fitzroy Gardens Fairy Tree.

From 1931 to 1934, the tree was carved by Miss Ola Cohn. She says in the foreword to her book "The Fairies Tree":

"I have carved in a tree in the Fitzroy Gardens for you, and the fairies, but mostly for the fairies and those who believe in them, for they will understand how necessary it is to have a fairy sanctuary - a place that is sacred and safe as a home should be to all living creatures."

Meet and Greet

2009-06-01T16:02:00.002+10:00

Last night we went to a bloggers Meet and Greet at The Workshop Bar and it was lots of fun to meet fellow bloggers and put faces to names and blogs...

A big thanks to Michael for organising it all, and to everyone else who came a long! Unfortunately we had to leave a little early so assignments could be finished.... but I say lets have another one soon!!

I thought you guys were fairies?

2009-05-28T14:52:00.006+10:00

for more pics try here : penguins

Apparently the term Fairy Penguin is not politically correct. Apparently the penguins would rather be called Little Penguin (although they look the perfect penguin size to me).

On the weekend I did a little afternoon trip to Phillip Island. 90 mins in the car, one sandwich, one mandarin, one muffin and 1/2 packet of cheezles and we were there. The last half of the drive is quite pretty, being from central NSW it was a shock to see so much green.

I will admit once we got there and had paid $37 to sit outside in the cold, surrounded by screaming kids and tourists, I was starting to doubt it was worth the drive... then all of a sudden the shore was dotted with little white tummies. It was amazing to see those little dots come waddling up the beach and and turn into squawking playful penguins as they paraded past to their burrows. It was a great experience. The penguins are really noisy and they get really close to the viewing platforms (about 30cm away). I would definitely make the trip again.

Unfortunately you can't take any pictures because the flash will scare the penguins. There is always that one idiot who thinks the rules don't apply to him and takes photos anyway. I decided not to be that idiot this trip.

Tickets and informations here.

Very catchy tune....

2009-05-26T20:46:00.004+10:00

I am loving this song at the moment, by Melbourne artist Seth Sentry. Unfortunately there isn't a film clip I can find yet, but you can listen to it above, or at his myspace.

day tripper

2009-05-25T12:55:00.009+10:00

As much as I love Melbourne... like seriously #1 fan kinda love... sometimes it's really nice just to take a little bit of a spontaneous road trip to visit the surrounding areas.

Saturday morning saw Banj and I rising early from our slumber (by early I mean 9am), chucking a mattress and some blankets in the back of the car and hitting the road, with no real plan as to where we were going.

image by anna wolf nyc

We found ourselves heading down along the beach, coming to a stop at Lorne. I was enjoying myself way too much and couldn't really be bothered taking too many photo's, but I have to say I love Lorne. I would move there tomorrow if I could.

We spent two days exploring the coast and rainforest, enjoying ice-cream on the beach, taking lots of walks, eating pub food, and simply relaxing!

I've come home feeling refreshed and inspired, and ready to tackle the week ahead, and daydreaming where we can escape to next? Maybe over Castlemaine way....?

2009-05-24T22:14:00.002+10:00

I love these foggy Melbourne mornings.

Guilty pleasures...

2009-05-20T23:56:00.004+10:00

I have a secret. A confession of sorts. Let's call it a guilty pleasure.

I love listening to Love Song Dedications on Mix 101.1 with Richard Mercer. I love his deep serious voice, and the cheesy soppy dedications, followed by Boys II Men or Celine Dion.

I don't mean I sit at home, tuning in every night to hear it, but if I happen to be in the car driving somewhere at night and catch a soppy dedication or two while flicking through the stations.... it makes my evening just that little bit cheerier...

image by Ian Hayhurst

Is it Bonsoy?

2009-05-19T16:01:00.008+10:00

If you are a soy drinker you will know about Bonsoy. Have you also noticed a sudden decline in the number of cafes using Bonsoy? I work in a cafe and I know how you soy drinkers get about your Bonsoy and I don't want to alarm you but...

there may be a Melbourne Bonsoy shortage!

At this stage I can't actually confirm, I am just passing on idle gossip. My boss mentioned that it is impossible to get Bonsoy because the big supermarkets are hogging up all the supplies. Before we only used Bonsoy but now we can't get any.

So if you are wondering why your latte tastes a little off... it might be the soy.

Life is like a cycle, like a circle....

2009-05-18T12:25:00.000+10:00

Three days a week I work in a shop. I spend nine hours a day, three days a week locked up inside watching the world go by. I've really started to notice things, started to notice a routine to all the action going on outside. People LOVE routine.

Everyday I see the same things happening.

I see the man at the coffee shop, I think his name is Wolfgang (no...really!) and he gets a short black every morning, and he hogs the newspapers and sits there for hours doing the crosswords and the puzzles. Then he goes home and comes back again in the afternoon. I like to think that he is maybe a writer? Maybe he's suffering writers block.

I see the man at the scooter shop, I think his name is Pete. Every morning he gives me a big smile and a wave while walking his daughters past my window around the corner, to where I do not know.

I see the little girl named Lily who goes past my window morning and afternoon on her way to the school. Sometimes she gets picked up by her Mum and sometimes her Dad.

I see all the regulars at walking past on their way to the chemist on the corner to visit the methodone clinic. I see them all waiting out side for the pharmacist to arrive, and then chatting away and helping him put out the signs and the sandwich boards.

I see the boy who once came in to order an engagement ring but didn't end up going ahead with it. I know he works at a bottle shop in Clifton Hill, so he has a long walk every morning and afternoon but now he walks to work on the other side of the road.

As well as the regular people, I also notice regular things happening. Like people looking at themselves in the shop window when they think you can't see them. And people standing in our doorway on their phones to get some privacy, not realising we can hear everything they are saying.

I guess the people at the shops around me have probably grown use to my routine as well. I get to work, always early to try and avoid the school traffic. Read my book in the car for 10 or 15 minutes before getting a coffee and a muffin (best muffins ever...) from the coffee shop. I open up the shop, put all the jewellery out, and get down to work. My boss arrives, the postman comes, I answer phones and serve some customers. My boss leaves, I pack up and then I drive home. I go to the supermarket where I see the blonde girl operator flirting with the boy operator with the dreadlocks, I cook dinner, do some stuff and go to bed.

I know this isn't a Melbourne post really, but it's just something I've been noticing and thinking about. I guess we all have routines, and I guess they are useful but at the moment I feel like I'm going in circles, my life is on loop and I'm stuck in that part of the Truman show where he realises the same thing is happening every day.

What kind of routines do people have during their day? And not just the obvious ones, like get up have breakfast, go to work, but the weird and wonderful things that we are all in the habit of doing on a regular basis, like hogging the papers so you can do all the crosswords.

image by Unhindered by Talent

Don't be a chicken... come have a drink!

2009-05-17T20:16:00.005+10:00

pic by Mark Klotz

Melbourne Blogger's Meet, Greet and Drink

Last week Michael from My Aching Head suggested we have a blogger get-together, put faces to the blogs and enjoy a few drinks.

So don't be shy... the venue is The Workshop Bar on the corner of A’Beckett and Elizabeth St on Sunday 31 May at 3pm.

"The idea is that anyone that is blogging in Melbourne, about Melbourne or is in Melbourne is welcome to come and meet like-minded people. That means all of you craft, food, wine, technology, sport or news bloggers are invited."

If you'd like a few more details or just to check out who else will be attending pop over to My Aching Head . Hopefully we will see a few of you on 31 May.

Open Day: Melbourne Museum of Printing this SUNDAY!!

2009-05-14T20:48:00.006+10:00

Browsing the always lovely Oh What Larks it has come to my attention this SUNDAY there is an Open Day and fundraiser for the Melbourne Museum of Printing. I'm totally in love with old tools and machinery (I think thats the jeweller in me...) and I've been wanting for ages to get to the museum to have a look, so I think Sunday is the day!

To check it out, get over to 36 Moreland Street, Footscray, on Sunday between 2pm and 6pm for music, for demonstrations, an exhibition and some fundraising. And best of all its free!

Also head over to Oh What Larks to look at some beautiful photo's from the Museum that show a bit of what you might be in for.

image from Melbourne Museum of Printing

2009-05-13T18:41:00.002+10:00

I know it is a rubbish photo but this is the view from my house. It's a great view. Always busy. Always grubby. Anytime of the day there's something happening. I think it is because I've never lived in a city before. I love the feeling I can just head out to the street and have an adventure.

The Melbourne Dossier: Bridget Farmer

2009-05-11T20:34:00.017+10:00

Today we are sharing the first of what will hopefully be an ongoing series of interview/quick questions with Melbourne locals. We can't promise it will be regular, or even that it will be every week, but we hope to try and get inspired by other people's favorite Melbourne places.

First up is Bridget Farmer, the artist behind Bridbird - you may have seen her felt brooches or etchings at numerous markets, galleries or shops around Melbourne. If not be sure to head over to her website or blog to have a look, or drop by her etsy store where you can pick one up for yourself.

image from bridbird

How long have you lived in Melbourne?
I've lived here since November 2005. so thats about 3 1/2 years. I'm originally from northern Ireland and came here to visit friends while traveling on a round the world ticket. In my first month here I met my partner, Jeremy, and I stayed until my visa ran out (11 months, not the planned 5) then I came right back again!

What do you do with yourself?

I'm an artist. I work from home. I make felt brooches and screen prints for markets and online and I also have a more serious side in which I make etchings that I sell through galleries and online.

image from bridgetfarmer

Best place in Melbourne to...
...have a coffee? I don't drink coffee, but I do drink hot chocolate and I'd have to say the best place to have one of those is Monsieur Truffe. Thick, rich, dark chocolate heaven!

image from fitzroyalty

...eat out? You'll soon see I'm a bit of a smith street girl, not meaning I scream and shout a lot, but that smith street holds a lot of my favourite haunts. I LOVE Wabi Sabi Salon, the best japanese restaurant outside of japan! Even if you're on the move get a wabi sabi sushi roll, so good, yet still so cheap. They're so good that they've spoilt me, I find it difficult to eat sushi anywhere else now! Or if you have a bit more time to eat in, go to the back garden and experience a little piece of Japanese tranquility and eat your bento box cross legged on a beautiful japanese style verandah. To really treat ourselves Jeremy and I go there in the evening for dinner. So full by the end, but not able to resist the temptation of green tea icecream!

...meet people? meet new people? ummmmm, I'm not so sure about that one... Jeremy often goes to The Night Cat, he likes live music. I don't really get to go out much at the weekends due to doing my markets on saturday and sunday.

...see/hear/experience some art or culture? There are so many live bands in Melbourne, I think a lot of the time it's just down to luck, being in the right place at the right time. One of the most memorable bands I saw was in the Retreat on Sydney Road. There were three of us and about two other people in the room and this band was playing just for us and they were just brilliant. Of course I can't remember what they were called unfortunately. But we chanced upon them by accident and I think sometimes that makes an experience like that even more special.
I'd also recommened the Australian Print Workshop on Gertrude Street for beautiful Australian etchings, wood cuts, lithographs, all types of printmaking. It is closed for renovation at the moment, not to open again for a number of months. But well worth a visit when it re opens. It also has summer courses. It was one of these summer courses, 3 years ago, that introduced me to printmaking.

Perfect way to spend a Melbourne day?
Well, breakfast at Arcadia. I used to work in Arcadia and the owner, Peter, is a good laugh. He's often heard singing from the kitchen! They make superb breakfasts. Eg. Poached eggs with a herbed pan fried potato cake, served with bacon, home made pesto and aoli dressing (Jeremy's favourite) or Arcadian eggs - poached eggs served on toasted rye bread with spinach, ham and aoli mayonnaise (my favourite). Then maybe a look in all the great shops on Gertrude Street - Artisan Books (lovely lovely lovely art and craft book shop , very dangerous for your purse), Industria ,vintage clothing and furniture, Little Salon, jewellery and accessories from local designers/makers. Circa, vintage clothing pre 1960s and many more. Then maybe a look round the museum, I love the museum in carlton gardens. Down to Wabi Sabi for dinner (of course) and then to Polly on Brunswick street for a fabulous cocktail or two.

images from artisan books, wabi sabi salon and polly

Hop tip/must see for someone new or visiting Melbourne?
I think it's important for new Melbournians or visitors to get out and see the suburbs, I don't mean like Ringwood or anything, but Fitzroy, Brunswick, even Northcote (I love Northcote) Thats where everything is really happening, not the CBD!

Tell us a Melbourne hidden gem?
I recently stumbled upon the Federation Bells while wondering around with a visiting friend. They are the most beautiful thing to be amongst while they are playing. The play daily from 12.30 to 1.30, and 5 to 6. They are situated in the grounds of Birrarung Marr which is kind of behind Federation Square, along the river, behind the Ferris wheel with all the lights on it. This is my favourite thing in Melbourne at the moment. You can even compose tunes for them on this website - http://www.federationbells.com.au

What Melbourne locals interest and inspire you?
Melbourne seems to have a great arty/ crafty core. Now that I'm part of the market seen I see my fellow stall holders work here there and everywhere in Melbourne's wonderful galleries and local-designer boutiques. It's great to see such a thriving 'handmade' scene, which couldn't happen if it wasn't for all the fantastic markets being organised in each suburb. My main market is Rose Street Artists Market, in Fitzroy. It has such a great vibe about it.

Favorite Melbourne blogs or websites?
This is a great blog for crafty types http://craftcitymelbourne.blogspot.com
The first blog I ever got into was Anna Blanford's she showed me how to make my own blog and now we are friends! http://annalauraart.blogspot.com

and I like my blog, or is that cheeky?! www.bridbird.blogspot.com

Only in Melbourne can you... meet a lovely man and decide to stay! I have three other friends from the uk who this has happened to! I'm telling you, Melbourne men!!

Thanks so much to Bridget for kicking off the series, and giving us some new places to check out, I don't think I've spent enough time down Smith Street and I need to head there asap...

Where have all the people gone?

2009-05-07T21:22:00.000+10:00

I know i have been MIA for a while and I've unfairly left Kate to hold down the fort but I should be here more frequently from now on (hopefully).

I have noticed on a number of blogs the topic of MEETING NEW PEOPLE has come up. I started talking to a couple of my friends about it and it seems like everybody wants to meet new people but no one is really to sure how to go about it.

I really miss school where you were forced to socialise with 30 other people your own age for over 6 hours a day. You were forced into making friends, it was impossible not to find someone to hang out with, even if it was only out of convenience.

Since moving to Melbourne and getting settled in I am lucky to meet one new person a week. And if I do meet someone, well as an adult I just don't know how you say to someone "hey do you want to be my friend?" It just sounds too needy. Too desperate. Too lonely! (A bit like this post is starting to sound.)

I don't have a solution but I do have two places where I have been successful with meeting nice normal but interesting people. The first place was the internet cafe/ laundry mat. It is always full of students and backpackers and people are generally hanging around looking for ways to waste time. I met a really nice German guy there. The bonus of meeting travellers is you can go and do cheesy tourist things you normally wouldn't go and do.

Before revealing the other place I have to offer up a disclaimer of attempt at your own risk. So the second place is a bar. I guarantee if you go to a pub alone and sit at the bar someone will talk to you. I met two lovely bar tenders and a couple of friendly fellows. I didn't have much luck talking to any women in bars though?

OK so that's the pitifully small amount of knowledge I have to offer. Hit me with some suggestions of good places to meet people in the comment section because I am getting really tired of watching Law & Order every night of the week.

image from yyellowbird

i love melbourne's old buildings

2009-05-06T21:04:00.006+10:00

All photo's from talented photographer red-scooter.

Local Products: Able and Game

2009-05-04T15:37:00.003+10:00

I am loving these cheeky and witty greeting cards from Able & Game. I stumbled upon them this afternoon being very unproductive and procrastinating browsing etsy, but then I realised they are the same cards features in The Sunday Age's "Object of Desire" section yesterday.

Designed and made in Melbourne by local creative Anna Laura and her partner Gareth Meney, they offer a cute and origninal alternative to the usual mass-produced greeting cards.

They have a whole range of funny Mother's day cards for this weekend, as well as everyday proclamation of love cards. These two are my favorite but look here on their website, or on the etsy store, or you can find them this weekend at Rose Street Artists Market.

images from Able&Game

Unidenitified....?

2009-05-01T10:07:00.003+10:00

So, not the best picture I know, but this was taken last weekend out and about on Brunswick Street and I wasn't in any state to be worrying about how I only had half the car in the shot... oops!

This is the most awesome car I have ever seen. I would love to know who owns this so I could interview them. I love talking to people who do things just because they thought it would be good, and perhaps this car is one of those things?

If anyone knows who owns it or has seen it around be sure to let us know!

Thank you. WATER

2009-04-30T12:48:00.003+10:00

I know recently there has been a barrage of media attention telling us how stupid it is to drink bottled water and how you are a complete twat if you pay for something you can get free from the tap. Usually I'd agree, but...

Thank you. WATER is different. 100% of the profits go to funding clean water projects in developing countries. Buying one bottle of water can provide clean water for one person for a month. There is currently a project underway in Uganda helping to provide clean water to refugees.

According to the Thank you. WATER website Australians spend approx. $600 million on bottled water a year. We shouldn't, but we do. I figure if we are going to waste our money we might as well do it on a bottle of water which supports a good cause.

The contact address for Thank you Water is Doncaster Heights (which google tells me is in Melbourne). I think this qualifies as a Melbourne post? If not I got my bottle of Thank you Water from the 7-Eleven at the beginning of Sydney Rd in Brunswick, definitely in Melbourne.

leaaa-viiiing on a jet plane....

2009-04-24T20:48:00.007+10:00

Tomorrow we are off to the airport and away on a bit of an unexpected trip to see our family. Not sure when we'll be back.

I love and hate airports. They make me cry, and I can never quite work out whether it is happy or sad tears? Being there brings back memories of loved ones going far far away and also coming home. The happiest and saddest days. I love the arrivals, seeing everybody eagerly awaiting for family and friends, and seeing how happy people are to be reunited, but the departures just break my heart.

This isn't specifically a Melbourne related post, but when I think of airports its definitely the Melbourne one that comes to mind, so I think it's allowed...

Have a nice weekend!

image from standard13

always greener...

2009-04-20T21:54:00.008+10:00

One of the first thing I fell in love with in Melbourne is the abundance of green parks and gardens scattered throughout the city. It seems they just pop up around every corner. It's so lovely to sit under the big old trees and feel a million miles away, lying on the grass daydreaming.... (I always feel like I'm in Ferngully....remember that cartoon?)

My favorites are the treasury gardens and the fitzroy gardens. I love the big old trees just begging to be climbed, and I love being able to see the tops of the buildings poking out through the leaves.

There are lots of other great parks to explore like Royal Botanic Gardens, Carlton Gardens, Edinburgh Gardens and Flagstaff Gardens, but I also love the pokey little neighbourhood ones that just pop up out of nowhere, like the one on Leicester Street in Fitzroy, and the one near Melbourne University also on a Leicester Street, in Carlton.

If anyone else has some good ones let us know... I think a picnic is in order before the weather gets too miserable!

Local product: Norf Guide

2009-04-17T10:20:00.002+10:00

Has anybody seen the latest little printed guide to the "best places, spaces and unique little discoveries that can only be found in Melbourne's inner north" floating around the city?

Brace yourself for Norf Guide.

I first came across this delightful little guide when its maker Troy approached our store to be featured in this funky booklet, and when the final products were delivered to our shop, boy were we glad we had chosen to be involved! We spent several coffees browsing the pages and circling which shops we were to go exploring first.

The Norf Guide is a must have for anybody keen to explore the northern suburbs. There is everything from restaurants to vintage shops to bars to bookshops within its pages, and the best part is that this first edition features spaces and places that could only join if they were invited. So they must be worth a visit!

Head over the Norf Guide website to download a copy or see where you can pick one up, as well as finding out about upcoming events and announcements. Best of all... it's free!

(image from norf guide website.)

Swanston St Medical Centre

2009-04-16T09:08:00.002+10:00

Ok so this might not be the most interesting post I have ever written but it is an important community service announcement (considering how hard it is to find a good doctor in this city).

I have a bit of experience with medical centres. Usually you can't make an appointment, you sit in a packed room for hours and when you finally get in to see the doctor they rush you back out in two minutes.

I have been to the Swanston St Medical Centre twice now. Both times i was able to make a mid-afternoon appointment and both times I was in seeing a doctor within five minutes of my arrival. The doctors were so kind and attentive. They listened and referred to my medical history rather then rushing me out with a prescription.

ALSO THEY BULK BILL STUDENTS, CONCESSION CARD HOLDERS AND PENSIONERS!

393 Swanston Street
PH: 96542722
Monday – Thursday 8.30am – 6pm, Friday 8.30 – 5pm

Languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Malay
Female doctors available.

Why, hello there!

2009-04-11T15:49:00.001+10:00

Eric Hutton

2009-04-10T21:20:00.003+10:00

Tuesday night saw my boy and i in the city on a mission to see some comedy. We ended up at the old Melbourne Gaol seeing Eric Hutton in Jokey Joke Time.

"Eric Hutton’s been plying his slightly strange - at times funny - style of stand-up for several years on the Sydney comedy scene, and has been based in Melbourne since mid-2008.

He’s impressed some medium-sized cheeses in the business and been threatened three times after gigs. This has led to invitations to appear on The Comedy Channel’s Stand Up Australia and on Triple J radio, filling in with Sam Simmons for industry mega-men Roy and H.G.

At the 2008 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Eric appeared in Sam Simmons’ award-winning show Where Can I Win A Bear Around Here?, and performed in the ensemble show The Zinger Machine. He’s supported London Comic of the Year Mark Watson’s Sydney shows at the Factory Theatre, and performs regularly in Sydney and Melbourne."

I really enjoyed the show! There were a few technical difficulties during the performance but it was opening night. Eric took it all in his stride and kept the laughs coming.

Doing stand-up must be so tough. I've decided it's something I could never do. Especially in the beginning, when you are really have to work hard to prove yourself and get your name out there, as with any new artist or creative person, or just every young person I guess!

Eric Hutton is definitely worth heading out into the cool Melbourne nights to see. I encourage you all the get out and support some new up and coming comedians. If anyone has any recommendations I would love to hear!

Jokey Joke Time
7- 25 April
Tues-Sat 7pm
77 Russell St, Melbourne

Full $18
Concession $16
Group (4 or more) $14
Tightarse Tuesday $14

Ticketmaster 1300 660 013
& at the door

Trams...

2009-04-07T10:36:00.007+10:00

Pic from here

One thing I don't understand about Melbourne is why everybody hates the trams. I would like to go on record as saying I have never been late because of a tram. I actually really enjoy catching them. Whenever I get the tram everybody seems so down. Why is it normal to be pissed off on public transport? No one ever smiles.

I find it's a bit of an adventure. Sure, sometimes its a bad adventure but its an adventure none the less. You never know who you might get to sit next to. It might be a lovable tramp, or a hot nurse, or a mum and her green nosed kid. I catch the number 19, so usually it's only students and worker bees heading into the hive.

There are two things I love to do on the tram. One thing I like to do is to turn my ipod off and listen to the things people talk about when they think you aren't listening. You would be surprised how many people will discuss their intimate lives with a stranger sitting next to them.

Pic from here

The other thing is to turn my ipod up real loud and pretend everyone else can hear the music too. It often seems like people are tapping along or nodding their heads to the same tunes I am. This little exercise often ends in me wishing I could break out in a spontaneous dance routine like they do in musicals. Everyone on the tram would immediately know the moves and be in the mood to shake off their worries with a little dance off.

Catching the tram doesn't have to be miserable. I have a mission. Every time I catch the tram from now on I am going to try to make one other person smile. So if you see a girl dancing alone to her ipod on the 19 the least you can do is smile...

Coming up...

2009-04-03T10:48:00.002+11:00

If you haven't been reading My Charlie Girl, the "random loveliness" of local artist and illustrator Bec Winnel, you must be crazy... but you also might not know about this:

I cannot WAIT! I've been waiting for a new and inspiring exhibition to get me motivated about creating. Its always nice to see a bunch of awesome ladies' doing such exciting work all in one place. Get along next Wednesday and check it out.

Opening Wednesday 8th April 6-9pm

696 Sydney Road, Brunswick

image from My Charlie Girl

Chai in the North

2009-04-02T20:08:00.010+11:00

I'm a chai snob. Massive chai snob. The first I ever had was made by my aunty, about 10 years ago, at home with fresh cinammon, cloves and cardamon ground up in a mortar and pestle, cooked up in a big pot on the stove. Proper chai.

Since that first heavenly taste, I pinched the recipe, and often make up a big saucepan of it that will last us a few days. The standard has been set way to high. Now I'm always cautious of ordering it out at cafes, for fear being disappointed with by the watery, spiceless imitation cup of tea so often received.

This morning, after arriving at work way too early, I took a walk around North Fitzroy, and popped into North Island. I've been here many a time, and usually just order a coffee which is always quality, but I thought "what the hell, give the chai a try?"

I must say I was pleasantly suprised! My tea came out in a teapot (enough for two cups! Always a bonus....). It was perfectly milky and spicey...AND the best part is that I received the whole tub of honey to sweeten as I please. I HATE when you order chai and it is sweetened so much all you can taste is honey!

9/10!! (10 being you come to my house and serve it with my breakfast and the weekend newspapers...) I will definitely be back soon for more!

North Island also do simple and yummy breakfasts and lunches, and service is always quick and friendly!!

North Island
111 Scotchmer Street
North Fitzroy

Searching for coffee on Sydney Rd

2009-03-31T13:12:00.009+11:00

You wouldn't think finding a place to have a coffee on Sydney Rd would be difficult. I have tried a few places and so the coffee has either been rubbish or the service has been terrible.

I want to make this clear I am not a coffee snob. Generally if it is warm, got two sugars and caffeinated, I will drink it. I am also not a service snob. All I ask is you don't forget to bring me what I ordered and you aren't rude. I understand mistakes happen and staff are only human. I give most places two or three tries before I completely write it off.

I want coffee which is drinkable and staff who don't make me feel like I need to rush out the door. I don't think those two criteria are really setting a high benchmark but I haven't met it yet on Sydney Rd. The search will continue though...

Meanwhile, on Edward st there is a great little place called Cafe 3A which has really set a new standard. It consistently delivers friendly and quick service. The fair trade coffee is hot and strong. The food is surprisingly good. And the decor is fresh and fun.

I recommend the coffee, the Chai and the croissants. I've also heard good things about the breakfast.

another festival...

2009-03-31T08:30:00.000+11:00

Anyone who lives in Melbourne will know that one thing we are not short of is festivals! From arts and design festivals to film festivals and cycling festivals, street festivals to latin festivals, there truly is something for everyone!

Starting TOMORROW is one that I look forward to every year: The Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The festival runs for three and a half weeks, finishing this year on the 26th of April.

Each year me and the man eagerly await for the line-up of comedians to be announced, and waste no time booking a few different shows. Amongst them is always our favorite, Daniel Kitson, as well as a few new comedians we haven't heard of.

This year we've been slightly unorganised and are yet to book tickets as Kitson wasn't listed as performing. However I have recently be alerted to his shows at the Performance Space at RRR via Mint Custard and am now feeling excited again for the festival!

The Comedy Festival programme is available here, and tickets can be purchased through the festival website or at ticketmaster. I recommend you see at least one show, as we all need a bit of a laugh every now and then, and there is so many great comedians to be enjoyed! If you are unsure who to see you can always check out the Gala night*

image from here

*Unfortunately the Gala was last night. I only caught the last half an hour myself. But for NEXT year....

2009-03-27T11:24:00.004+11:00

Did you know Bimbo's was actually called Bimbo Deluxe? I have been there so many times, twice this week in fact, and I never realised until I tried to google it. *sigh* You think you know a place.

For me, Bimbo's is the ultimate $20 date night...

x2 pizzas + x2 pots = approx $16 (between 7pm-9pm any night except Friday)

It is GREAT pizza. My favourite is Calabrese or El Greco. Both are taste sensations. We have been there three times to try and take pictures of the pizza but we always get too excited and the photos and up like this ...

There is a nice little outside area which fills up quickly on hot nights. Most of the seating is couches, which can be problematic when trying to eat. Ok, one tip: the place packs out just before 7pm so in the interest of getting a seat and scoring $4 pizzas try turning up at 6.30 and having a pot first. It is win-win.

I don't know what else I can say? The lighting is low, drinks aren't too expensive, the pizza is delicious and its always busy. What more do you need to know?

Bimbo Deluxe
376 brunswick St
(look out for the big naked baby instead of a sign)
PH: 9419 8600

WEB: bimbodeluxe.com.au

Pink pigeons?

2009-03-26T23:39:00.008+11:00

So I know this installation is from some time ago now, but I was looking through my old photo's and was reminded of it, and reminded why I love Melbourne so much.

I love the seemingly-random things that happen so often around here, and the celebration and encouragement of so many different creative outlets. I love that as you walk around this beautiful city, you dont have to look to hard to find a little piece of inspiration.

Images by sensesmaybenumbed and mugley

DRAB ART

2009-03-22T18:38:00.016+11:00

So Kate and I have been talking about doing some posts on people in Melbourne who make this city such a crazy and wonderful place to live. It took me a little while but here it is, hopefully the first of many: DRAB - Paste-up artist and drunken ninja .

If Mr Drab was as bold with his art as he was with the ladies there'd be one of his paste-ups on every wall in Melbourne. Instead of talking about his own work we talk banking, and software, and printing costs, and getting another beer.

It's a sunny Sunday afternoon, he's nice to look at and I'm a little intimidated so I don't rush.

After a few pots we get around to the topic; Paste-up. I'm pretty clueless when it comes to art so he patiently explains some of the finer points and gives me a brief on street art in general. "Its not just about the art, it is also about where it its" he explains.

And then finally we make it to his work...

Drab is relatively new to paste-up. He started drawing at six and has a background in film production. After watching a Melbourne street art documentary, he did his first paste-up in January.

"I had all these ideas, ideas which never actually did anything. These guys were out there just doing it and I thought why aren't I?" he said.

Since then a fresh paste-up crop of unusual critters, sullen girls and guys with guns have sprung up over Brunswick.

Ok so I am no art critic, in fact, when I try to tell Drab I like his pieces he laughs at me, "People are out there pushing it, what I'm doing is nothing."

I disagree. I know what I like and i have a major jones for his work. It is playful and irreverent. When I walk around a corner and stumble onto a new piece it makes me smile like I'm part of a secret inside joke.

I'm lazy so I stole the pictures from Drab's blog and they remain his property (blah blah blah don't steal them ok!). Check out DRAB ART for more pictures and locations of new paste-ups.

Lovely laneways

2009-03-20T09:41:00.006+11:00

One of my FAVORITE Melbourne things (along with so many other people I'm sure...) is all the beautiful, dirty, graffiti-ed busy lane ways. I love wandering up and down and exploring the hidden galleries, cafes and shops...

For anyone not from Melbourne there are some pretty amazing photo's on flickr.

I especially love graffiti and never cease to be amazed at how clever these artists are. For more Melbourne street art check out Streets of Melbourne.

image by craftaroo

Sunday cycle

2009-03-16T21:28:00.010+11:00

Sometimes I can be really lazy. And I find I can't be bothered leaving the house when I have no money to spend or anyone to do something fun with.

However, there are heaps of free things to do in Melbourne on your own, or with friends, and checking out the local bike tracks is always an adventure.

I'm not particularly a cycler, or much of a physical-activity-outdoors-er in general, but we are lucky to live in a city criss-crossed with amazing bicycle tracks, tucked away off the mainroads, and weaving around the river. I am even luckier that these tracks pretty much come straight to my door.

On Sunday I went for a ride along the tracks between Eltham and Templestowe but there are plenty of others in every area. For a list of the top ten cycling paths around Melbourne visit here.

So, like I said... not much of a cycler... infact I haven't ridden in about 12 years, and even then it was only as far as the edge of my driveway. Up and back. Up and back.

However, I suprised myself! It took me a little while to get used to the gears (my hot pink cycle of years ago never had these fancy GEARS!). There was a lot of swearing and complaining, and I will admit there was a few hills that I got off and pushed my bike up... but it was great to get out of the house! It was good to not sit around waiting for something to happen.

I'm not sure I will ever become an avid cycler, or buy a funky lycra outfit, but it was great to be out in the sunshine!

Local products: Merry-go-round greeting cards

2009-03-16T13:37:00.003+11:00

Two things I am a fan of is 1. recycled, environmentally friendly products, and 2. Local designers and businesses. So I am especially excited to tell you about my latest find which combined the two!

Browsing in Brunswick Bound on Sydney Road is where I found this latest beauty. Merry-go-round gift cards. The idea of these cards and their artwork theme of "earth-love" is to "help people stop and ponder the beautiful things about the planet and their connectedness to it".

They work by having slits cut on the inside of the card, allowing a message to be added on a separate piece of paper. The person you send the card to then is able to replace the slip of paper with a message of their own and re-use the card.

"Merry-go-round cards are made from 100% post consumer recycled stock. The cards are created using environmentally friendly printing processes and soy based inks. Merry-go-round cards are recyclable when finally finished."

Each series is printed as a limited-edition, and the cutest part is on the back of the card little trees can be coloured in to keep a record of how many times the card has been used.

The latest range of cards features artwork from six well-known Australian illustrators, and can be purchased from a range of Melbourne bookshops and stores along with the original series, or here online.

Go check out the Merry-Go-Round website for more information, and support a local business!

2009-03-12T18:40:00.002+11:00

ONE LOCAL PUB + YOU
- ANY FRIENDS

= POTENTIALLY AWKWARD

pic from here

The other day I attempted something I have never done before. I went to my local and had a beer all by myself. i was walking past the pub and I thought "I really feel like a drink". It didn't look busy so I went in.

I am not sure what possessed me. Drinking alone is not the kind of behaviour I usually engage in. I know that on TV women drink in bars alone all the time but I had it in my head that in reality the only women doing it where alcoholics and prostitutes.

I thought I'd feel uncomfortable perched at the end of the bar with nobody to talk to but it turns out I wasn't alone for very long. The bar staff kept me company, we had a great chat about the merits of living in an atrium and the best 3 fruits to have with you when stranded on an island. I also met a few of the regulars and scored myself a few free pots.

What was supposed to be one quick drink turned into drinks after closing with the staff. I ended up having a surprisingly entertaining night but it very easily could have gone the other way. Below are some tips for drinking alone (some of which I am struggling with):

1. If you are a novice to drinking alone try going to your local on a quiet night and sit at the bar. A good bar tender will take pity on you and engage you in polite conversation. If you go on a busy night they won't have time and you will end up feeling in the way.

2. Don't get hammered. No one wants to be the drunk girl being shoved into a taxi by a group of people they don't know.

3. Don't go alone every time or to often. This is the tip I am having the most trouble with. Now whenever I get bored I want to go for a beer (if you saw the staff at my local you would understand why).

4. Girls dress casual. Casual = approachable. You don't want to waste your good outfits on a half empty bar.

5. Keep in mind the staff are paid to be friendly.

Ikea is the devil.

2009-03-09T17:53:00.013+11:00

The mission: Ikea on a Monday Public holiday. Yes I possibly am nuts.
The task: Exchanging a frame I bought last weekend. In and out.
Estimated time: 15 minutes. Call me optimistic.

I love ikea*. I love it like I love officeworks and bunnings. As in, totally unnecessary but you always find something you never knew that you always needed! The perfect SOMETHING you need to buy right now that is going to change your life forever. 100 tealights. 1000 paperclips assorted by size and colour. Or maybe an apple corer?**

(image by Wayan Vota)

So my mission begins at 1300 hours. It doesn't start well, to say the least. Car park - full. Not just full but backed up out onto the street. Why didn't I quit while I was ahead? I soldier on, tell myself "you've come this far! Just do it! In and out"....

.....20 minutes later....I finally have a park. (Thankyou kind sir, who waved to me to tell me you were leaving your park. You made my day.)

I wade my way through the trolleys and the screaming children and the yelling pregnant women to the exchange and returns section. Take a number...24...take a seat and wait. "Next please. Number 7" Oh. God. This is going to take all day. The frame only cost me 19.95, is this really worth it? Should I just quit while I'm ahead?.....

....25 minutes later, my re-credited credit card in hand.... back into the store to find the correct frame that I wanted in the first place....

Oooh, and oven mitts for only $1.95!
image by poolie

*But not so much on public holidays.
** I stand by this purchase being my best yet. $3.95, it cores AND slices apples into 8 pieces. Simultaneously. And its green. Need I say more?

The Green Refectory

2009-03-07T17:37:00.007+11:00

Some people call it the Illy cafe due to the big red sign out the front, some people call it the cafe with no name, but to those in the know its the Green Refectory.

Located three blocks down Sydney Rd this busy little cafe is a great place to kick off the morning with a coffee and the paper or waste away the afternoon with tea and cake. It is cute as a button with its mismatched chairs and communal benches. There is a really laid back feel to the place and the front windows provide an optimum people watching spot.

The staff are extremely friendly and always welcoming. The downside to this is the wait for food tends to be quite lengthy. I strongly suggest you don't visit the Green Refectory if you are in a hurry or really hungry. The staff tend to get a little distracted and have actually forgotten my order both times I had something other then cake.

Having said that, if you don't mind the wait, the food is well worth it. I have tried the muffins, toasted focaccia, pancakes and vanilla slice and all were mouth watering. The prices are reasonable and the servings are large, it is possible to share one meal between two. let me just say it again, the cakes here are spectacular.

The Green Refectory qualifies for $20 date status. Two coffees and two cakes are approximately $15, depending on your cake selection it could be a little less. Due to the relaxed service you will have PLENTY of time to chat with your date and get to know each other. I recommend trying to get a seat in the courtyard where it is quiet enough for conversation.

The Green Refectory
115 Sydney Rd
93871150

rainy days

2009-03-06T11:17:00.004+11:00

Cold rainy Melbourne days are back for another year it would seem...

image by Aldenhoven

seeking special (as opposed to dull) people*

2009-03-01T23:40:00.009+11:00

"Hi there. My name is Kate, I'm a 23 year old female, looking to make new friends...I like stuff....I'm not a loser......really...."

Hmmm, okay, does that sound too.....desperate??? I can't believe I have stooped to this new low. Searching for friends online. Wow, maybe I AM a loser??

About a year ago, after a huge internal debate, I thought "What the hell? What have I got to lose?" I logged onto the seeking friends section, and I replied to a few ads in the friends only page of gumtree. I even posted one of my own. After some consideration I decided I'M not weird and I'm on here, so these other people might be okay...

And I was right!

My first "date" was with Samantha. I was a little cautious, not quite sure what to expect, waiting on the street watching every 25ish looking girl approaching, wondering "is that her?" or "oh no, not her."

I needn't have worried. Sam was great! Just the kind of girl I'd take home to meet my mother. We had a few drinks at a little bar on Burke Rd in Camberwell, and chatted until the wee hours of the morning. We had a lot in common, lots to talk and laugh about, and neither of us were weird losers! Just happy, easy-going girls, finding it hard to meet people either in a new city (me) or when you are working long, busy days (Sam.)

I caught up with Sam a few times over the next few months, and went on to meet many more girls. One sunny afternoon someone on gumtree organised a barbeque on the Yarra and I nervously went along. I discovered about 30 normal, nice, interesting people all wanting to meet new people and finding it hard in a big city.

How is it that so many of us are feeling the same thing? How is it possible there is so many interesting, funny, normal, lovely people out there, all feeling so lonely?

I'm glad I gave gumtree a try. Although I didn't make any life long friends, I put myself out there and met some great people. It was better to feel like I was giving it ago instead of sitting on my couch whinging about it.

I recommend everyone give it a try! It's a little nerve-wracking, and you have to wade through the weird ads to find the reasonably normal sounding ones, but its a lot of fun....

infact, maybe I need to dust off my profile....

*(title stolen from an ACTUAL ad)

$20 date night: Shanghai Dumpling Restaurant

2009-03-01T21:34:00.008+11:00

This is going to be the first in what will be a series of posts featuring places you COULD take a date for under $20. I can't vouch for how your date will react if they know you only spent $20 but I can promise to only post about places I'd be willing to take a date myself.

So tonight's $20 date was at the Shanghai Dumpling Restaurant on Tattersalls Lane in China Town. Most Melbourne locals will have been to the backstreet gem before but if you haven't don't be put off by the communal tables or the plastic table clothes, or the angry man who shouts at you when you get to the front of the que (wait time on busy nights usually 5-15 mins).

While this place may lacks in decor and friendly service it more then compensates with value for money, and I will make a bold claim but I feel it is warranted; best dumplings in Melbourne. Try them, I dare you to disagree. The dumplings come steamed or fried and I strongly recommend the vegetarian dumplings steamed.

The first time I went here we ordered:

x20 mushroom and vegetable steamed dumplings
x4 vegetarian buns
large plate of Asian green with oyster sauce
pumpkin cakes
x2 drinks

$19(something, lets say 42 cents)

I have taken two dates to this restaurant and both guys left full, although on those occasions I substituted vegetarian buns for beef fried dumplings. A little tip if you aren't to sure about your date: once you order the food arrives in minutes. The length of the date depends on how quickly you can eat.

Shanghai Dumpling Restaurant
23-25 Tattersalls Lane
China Town Melbourne 3000
9663 8555
Tues-Sat 11am - 10pm
Sun - Mon 10am - 9.30pm
BYO

A little bit about Amanda...

2009-02-27T15:27:00.000+11:00

So I guess this is where i tell you about me...

I have a thing for kettles and teapots. I collect postcards. I only dance when I'm drunk. I love rainy days. I can never decide if i want to capitalise the word I or leave it as a little i. Getting things in the mail makes my heart smile. My favourite pizza is pepperoni. And right now I am exactly where i want to be.

Oh you want to know about me and Melbourne?

Well it was about two months ago, we had this passionate start. She showed me a really good time but with Canberra as my last lover she didn't really need to try so hard to impress me. i felt like i had stumbled into an urban wonderland. I moved into a place on the edge of the city, everything I wanted was at my door.

Then the bushfires came. It was impossible to get work, my funds dried up, and we had the hottest day on record. For a while Melbourne was a little somber and I had sometime to think. I had come to Melbourne to try new things and all I had done was party. I had been taking her for granted and she had so much to offer...

i found you in melbourne will be the space i write about the who what, where, when and how that i stumble upon in my new city. I have a long list of things I want to try and I'm keen to meet as many new people as I can (maybe i'll introduce you).

i hope you enjoy.

something about kate

2009-02-27T15:24:00.000+11:00

My Melbourne experience began in a crazy, dirty sharehouse with 5 others. All students. It certainly was a fun adventure, always a party and very little sleep, but as someone who was trying to work fulltime and be a reasonably functioning person during my working hours, it only lasted three months. For the next 3 years I moved around, 4 different houses, a number of different people. Now I've finally settled out in the suburbs with the man. Bit of a shock to the system being out in the bush away from all the action, but I'm actually really happy out here!

The longer I have been living here the harder it has gotten to meet new people. I've met some great people and have a few awesome friends, but its hard to expand my social circle when the only place you go is work. I suppose up until recently, when I decided it was time to make more of an effort and put myself back out there , I had stopped TRYING, but I also feel that there is a definite initial window of opportunity where it is easier to meet people because you are "new in town". Make the most of it!!

Melbourne is such an amazing city, so much to do and so much to offer. I moved here with the intention of "getting a foot in the door" of the jewellery industry and then moving back closer to my family, but it was love at first sight! I will probably never leave.

About me.... what can I say? Nothing too exciting to tell. I'm a jeweller. I like creative adventures and exploring new things and I LOVE to eat. A lot. I hate this part where you have to talk about yourself. I could never speed date.

If you want to know about me you will have to wait until I figure it out for myself. If you want to get to know about Melbourne, come back soon!

2009-02-27T15:00:00.000+11:00

I found you in melbourne is our baby. It is a project thought up after some difficulties making Melbourne our home.

Kate has been living here for four years. She moved here to undertake a jewellery apprenticeship, spent time living in several inner city suburbs but has now moved out to the burbs. She loves Melbourne and all it has to offer, but is looking to try some new things.

Amanda relocated from the country's capital earlier this year. For the first month Melbourne was a constant party but she is now hoping to see what else the city has to offer.

I found you in melbourne is our attempt to share experiences of our adopted city, tap into the abundance of events, sites and sounds and discuss the daunting task of meeting new people. Come on our tour of melbourne. We will take you anywhere you want to go.

image by pip wilson