Craigs Cheese Shop

Living in Sydney’s Bondi Junction, I’ve long bemoaned the lack of great food places nearby. And now that one has arrived on my doorstep, I’m almost loath to share it as the queues are already so long. But this is one hidden gem worth checking out as soon as you have a chance. Craig’s Cheese Shop is much more than what its name suggests. Aside from cheese, it’s filled with tasty treats to take away, and other delights to enjoy in situ if you have a minute to spare. The herb omelette with saffron potatoes and crème fraîche is my pick for lunch or brunch, and if I just need a caffeine fix and a sweet treat, they make a mean coffee and a moreish macadamia and coconut tart. And don’t even start me on the pork and olive pies…

Craig’s Cheese Shop, 59 Birrell St, Bondi Junction NSW; (02) 9387 3323
http://www.craigscheeseshop.com.au/

Fleur Wood Bridal

Just in time for the summer wedding season, we are introducing an

exclusive new bridesmaid collection at our Sydney Strand Arcade and Chadstone stores. 

Inspired by the intrinsic notions of beauty and romance, and the innately feminine and

luxurious, the bridal range has a graceful allure and whimsical quality that is quintessentially

Fleur Wood. 

“The collection encompasses five timeless, 

fashion inspired bridesmaid dresses that will definitely

 be worn again,”  

Each style, made-to-order, is available in two variations of length, three different fabrications and color of choice. Colors are sun drenched lemon, petal pink and sea pearl with highlights of tangerine, turquoise and jewel green. The Fleur Wood bridesmaid dresses are available to order from Wednesday, 25th May 2011.

Prices start at $495

Tim Walker - nothing beyond the ordinary

Anyone who can start shooting for Vogue at just 25 must have a prodigious talent, and Tim Walker and his photographs have long been a source of inspiration for me. We certainly used his images as a reference point while we were creating my book Food, Fashion Friends. His photographs are fantastical, whimsical, quirky and even romantic. I love his British eccentricity and his sense of irony, I would even go so far as to say his work is akin to magic realism—to me he’s like the Gabriel García Márquez of photography. Every frame tells a story or makes your eyes widen in wonder… Horses in the drawing room? Beds atop classic cars? Pastel-tinted pigeons? Why? How? Where…? In Walker’s world, these things are nothing beyond the ordinary, which makes his work all the more extraordinary.

 images that I love....

Adele 21

We love Adele. Her Album 'Adele 21' is Strong, soulful, and beautiful.

In a world of manufactured artists Adele is the real deal. And what a voice!

Be moved, be inspired, be uplifted.

Links to my favorite tracks:

Adele – “Rolling in the Deep”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEDA3JcQqw

Track by Track Interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3FGEeV0VXs

Charity Lacelet

To celebrate Australian fashion week we have made some beautiful vintage inspired bracelets to sell exclusively in our Fleur Wood stores. $49.95each

Mark Ryden was drawing meat dresses long before Lady Gaga wore one.

Artist Mary Ryden’s unsettling images have long fascinated me. There’s no easy way to describe his work, except to say that it blurs the boundaries between cartoons and traditional techniques—his work even inspired a new genre, dubbed “Pop Surrealism”, when it first became popular in the 1990s. Iconography has always been a big influence for me, especially when decorating—Ryden’s paintings and drawings are also infused with religious iconography, from angelic girls bearing meat chops to a floating Jesus. His work is childlike and macabre at the same time, with doll-like girls crying tears of blood or playing with dismembered bunnies, while he is also clearly obsessed with anatomical drawings and, interestingly, Abraham Lincoln. And he was drawing meat dresses long before Lady Gaga wore one.

Mothers Day

Thank you to everyone who has sent in messages about their Mum’s – it’s lovely to hear about such inspiring and loved Mothers. I have found each message extremely touching and it has been very difficult to pick a winner. 

Congratulations to Catherine Gallois on her winning entry:

Cancer. Mastectomy. Alcoholic husband. Great losses. Nonetheless, she brings none of that to our lives, but instead: Unconditional Love. Steadiness. Joy. Endlessly giving spirit. Inspiration.

more of our favorite entries below. 

Career suspended,Two decades and four daughters,Long suffering loveElegance defined,

Exotic delights inspire:Culinary chicDreams revived: fiend ofMuseums; Educator, Dancer, Heroine

Natalie Adams

After spending decades looking after children (her own & others), she’s now rediscovered her

 passion for writing and has just been offered a publishing deal.

Shehana Teixeira

This year, Mum volunteered in Nepal and built houses for women in need.

 She also donated $5000 dollars to the cause which builds 250 houses.

Amy Tucker

My mum has a beautiful, generous spirit. Every Christmas she makes 3000 cakes to be donated to homeless people – and I couldn’t be more proud!

Victoria Flanagan

At 54, my mum isn’t a style guru, socialite, or retired-model turned world ambassador.

 She's my mum and that's all the inspiration I need.

Megan Richardson

My Mum is inspirational because...... she brought up three beautiful girls whilst working full time, completing a degree then a masters degree and is now studying for her PhD. She is courageous, strong, committed and determined and I believe they are inspirational assets for any mother to have.

Kylie Hannam

Mum I’ve been doing the figures...16,424 meals 5,400, loads of laundry, 14,700 hugs

6,570 bedtime stories, 18 birthday cakes.... & all from one mum <3

Colette Bassett.

She volunteers, she sews, she crafts and she gives. She dances, she

smiles, she loves and she lives. She is my MAMA.

Kate Dubauskas

Wishing inspirational Mums everywhere, a very Happy Mother’s Day!

xx

A love of Butterflies

Butterflies have always fascinated me and are a continual source of inspiration. Their colours are completely transfixing, especially the ones which are almost iridescent and glimmer in the sunshine. They’re like little works of art flying around the garden, and I love it when you spot one in an expected place or glimpse one when you least expect it. The way they float through the air, as if they’re deciding which way to go on the merest whim or simply seeing where the breeze takes them, brings a sense of freedom and lightness that I like to try and capture in my work. I even like having framed butterflies on the wall, where you can really appreciate their beauty up close, and I think they’re a gorgeous gift for good friends.  

Sunday Magazine - 13th March 2011