The patron saint of lost causes worked wonders for my writer's block.
I needed a few hours alone; to gather my intentions and put pen to paper. When your art becomes your profession it's easy to fall out of love. Mundane editorial puts food on the table but it also steals the very last of my words. Every single day I sit at my desk and type. Clickety clack with a Poet at my feet and a little boy close by. It's rare for me to handwrite my stories but I always come back to the pen when I seek inspiration.
St Jude sits lonesome on a corner of Bourke Street; the Redfern end. With its white-washed exterior and timber-framed cafe windows, it lures the locals who linger on the step, chatting about the sun and the blossoms and the new baby next door.
I was the out-of-towner with a rare hour of solitude. I found a seat by the window, ordered coffee and brunch and began to scrawl a who we are across a new white notebook. Within twenty minutes the blue cup was empty, the page covered in ink. As it should be.
Luisa turned up soon after and between sips of coffee and excitable exclamations she took shots of cafe details....and portraits of a writer who can't wait to share her project with the world.
The ever-lovely Mandy, who regularly meanders the streets of Surrey Hills, recommended St Jude. Thank you!
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Monday, August 27, 2012
from the city: the grounds of alexandria
I had heard wonderful things about The Grounds of Alexandria. Located in the old Four'N Twenty pie factory (iconic in its own right) in the heart of Alexandria's industrial estate, this gem of a cafe is one-of-a-kind.
A celebration of coffee, food and the simple, good things in life, The Grounds beckons with it's intriguing indoor/outdoor space. The coffee beans are roasted on-site in a dedicated research facility and the menu is inspired by the herbs, vegies and edible flowers growing in the garden (there's a horticulturist on staff). Aesthetically The Grounds is beautiful; industrial meets rustic with a touch of bohemia, the details stole me away from conversation more than once.
The Grounds has created a unique experience - intimate dining and boutique coffee in a warehouse setting where professionals, tradies, hipsters and young families gather - happily so.
Come summertime there will be alfresco dining under the lanterns, pizzas straight from the woodfire oven and drinks from the outdoor bar. Sigh.
We were there for morning tea and I can highly recommend the blueberry and ricotta brown muffin. If you go for lunch I have heard the ocean trout with pearl barley, broccolini and preserved lemon is delectable.
As for the plethora of photos - apologies. But oh the details, the light, the coffee, the teapots....etc......!
A celebration of coffee, food and the simple, good things in life, The Grounds beckons with it's intriguing indoor/outdoor space. The coffee beans are roasted on-site in a dedicated research facility and the menu is inspired by the herbs, vegies and edible flowers growing in the garden (there's a horticulturist on staff). Aesthetically The Grounds is beautiful; industrial meets rustic with a touch of bohemia, the details stole me away from conversation more than once.
The Grounds has created a unique experience - intimate dining and boutique coffee in a warehouse setting where professionals, tradies, hipsters and young families gather - happily so.
Come summertime there will be alfresco dining under the lanterns, pizzas straight from the woodfire oven and drinks from the outdoor bar. Sigh.
We were there for morning tea and I can highly recommend the blueberry and ricotta brown muffin. If you go for lunch I have heard the ocean trout with pearl barley, broccolini and preserved lemon is delectable.
As for the plethora of photos - apologies. But oh the details, the light, the coffee, the teapots....etc......!
Saturday, August 25, 2012
from the city: hello!
We stayed on the 41st floor in the heart of the city. On Tuesday morning we rose early and headed to the airport, anxious and eager, checking the arrivals board every few minutes. We took a walk to waste some time and watched one helium balloon float aimlessly on the ceiling.
And then we spotted a familiar beaming face behind a trolley stacked high with luggage. Hello! Uncle Josh and Immy were here, safe and sound. We spent the rest of the day wandering the city and while she tried, Immy couldn't quite believe that she was experiencing Sydney in the winter-time.
That photo of Poet and Popa up there...see her little hat? It was the very first thing I bought her after she was born, an ada ada bonnet from the spring/summer 2010 collection. Absolutely darling she wore it for the first time at the airport. As we walked I wore her in the sling and within minutes she had pulled it off and dropped it. And then it was gone. It's ridiculous how sad I am about that silly little hat. But if there's anyone out there who has one and would like to sell it or knows where I can buy one I'll be forever grateful.
And then we spotted a familiar beaming face behind a trolley stacked high with luggage. Hello! Uncle Josh and Immy were here, safe and sound. We spent the rest of the day wandering the city and while she tried, Immy couldn't quite believe that she was experiencing Sydney in the winter-time.
That photo of Poet and Popa up there...see her little hat? It was the very first thing I bought her after she was born, an ada ada bonnet from the spring/summer 2010 collection. Absolutely darling she wore it for the first time at the airport. As we walked I wore her in the sling and within minutes she had pulled it off and dropped it. And then it was gone. It's ridiculous how sad I am about that silly little hat. But if there's anyone out there who has one and would like to sell it or knows where I can buy one I'll be forever grateful.
34/52
Che: "I see pirates!"
Poet: Fascinated by the scraps of paper, unfazed by the city skyline.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
sakura bloom sling diaries - fun
We explore often; this beautiful land of ours with its green, blue and ochre palette. "Fun" is being outside in the open where the hills meet the shore, a mid-winter getaway to nourish and restore. The pebbles were in abundance so we skimmed them across the surface and built zen towers on the sand. Spiral seashells licked with salt, keepsakes in our pockets.
We sat and talked with friends and on the way back home we blew breath on dandelion flowers till there were only the stems - beautiful ephemera.
I wear Poet in the sakura bloom simple silk sling in amber
Over six chapters of the sling diaries I have celebrated babywearing in Australia. Poet has, in the past six months, been worn in the sling as we travelled and explored. From her perch on my hip she has seen three cities, country orchards, ancient bushland and sandy beaches. It's been a wonderful journey and such a blessing to have her close, just where she should be.
Tim, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you for these captures. You did it, again.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
spring : notes from my naturopath
I see my naturopath once a season. While the financial cost of the appointment and the subsequent herbal tonics is significant, I firmly believe that it's the very best thing I've ever done for my health. I am rarely tired, I have only had two minor colds in one year and most of the time I feel strong and well. I'm a better mother because of it and much happier in my self.
Last week I went along to my appointment keen to find out a bit more about eating well in the spring time. I was at the tail end of a cold and as soon as I walked in the door my naturopath, Catherine, reminded me that my body was "spring cleaning" itself. "The liver is getting rid of the bulk from winter," she said. "It's a cleanse, not a cold."
Nature is cleansing too - those wild winds that come every August...that's the earth decluttering. It's a good time to remind ourselves that we are nature, experiencing our own regeneration of sorts.
While I listened to Catherine talk about the seasons, the importance of looking to the earth for our food and the benefits of eating with awareness, I took notes. Here they are:
Last week I went along to my appointment keen to find out a bit more about eating well in the spring time. I was at the tail end of a cold and as soon as I walked in the door my naturopath, Catherine, reminded me that my body was "spring cleaning" itself. "The liver is getting rid of the bulk from winter," she said. "It's a cleanse, not a cold."
Nature is cleansing too - those wild winds that come every August...that's the earth decluttering. It's a good time to remind ourselves that we are nature, experiencing our own regeneration of sorts.
While I listened to Catherine talk about the seasons, the importance of looking to the earth for our food and the benefits of eating with awareness, I took notes. Here they are:
- eat kale, in abundance - raw in salads, tossed through spelt pasta dishes or juiced.
- fennel, celery and beetroot - in season and oh so good for you (fennel is great for breastfeeding mumas - helps stimulate milk production)
- citrus juices
- replace heavy winter foods with lighter, fresher alternatives. raw food!
- root vegetables (roasted with fresh herbs) - eaten with brown rice or salads
- increase vegetarian meals
- nettle tea for cleansing
- ginger tea for restoring
- less dairy, less sugar, less oils
Catherine also offered this "home remedy" for colds:
"...slice one onion, a lemon (skin on), three cloves of organic garlic, two generous slices of ginger and blend with a few tablespoons of manuka honey. You may like to add a bit of tumeric or cayenne pepper. Have one teaspoon neat per day or mix one teaspoon into lemon tea."
She also suggested I burn the following oils in my home (the smell is divine!):
- frankincense - to strengthen the lungs
- eucalyptus - to purify the blood
- lemon - to clear the air and kill bacteria
Spring, it has begun.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
welcome home
Early Tuesday morning my little brother comes home. When he left last June I was 36 weeks pregnant with Poet so he's coming back to a significantly bigger family. Lucky for us his gorgeous English girlfriend has a one-year visa so we get to delight in her loveliness, intelligence and sweet accent - we can't wait to meet you Imogen!
Josh claims he hasn't had a good coffee in over a year so I'd say our first stop will be an inner-city cafe (I can't wait to go to The Grounds of Alexandria). We'll be spending a few nights in an apartment on Pitt St so we'll play tourists in our own town and hopefully Daniel and I will sneak away for a quick meal at Mr Wong (we haven't been on a date since Poet was born..I think it's about time).
Airport reunions are one of my all-time favourite things so I'm not surprised that I've got butterflies about tomorrow. Josh, if you read this before your flight, we'll be the ones with the helium balloons (Mum's idea!).
And Immy's mum...just wanted to say that we'll take really good care of her...we promise.
I always watch this beautiful clip when I feel like a cheer-me-up (or a little cry!)
Josh claims he hasn't had a good coffee in over a year so I'd say our first stop will be an inner-city cafe (I can't wait to go to The Grounds of Alexandria). We'll be spending a few nights in an apartment on Pitt St so we'll play tourists in our own town and hopefully Daniel and I will sneak away for a quick meal at Mr Wong (we haven't been on a date since Poet was born..I think it's about time).
Airport reunions are one of my all-time favourite things so I'm not surprised that I've got butterflies about tomorrow. Josh, if you read this before your flight, we'll be the ones with the helium balloons (Mum's idea!).
And Immy's mum...just wanted to say that we'll take really good care of her...we promise.
I always watch this beautiful clip when I feel like a cheer-me-up (or a little cry!)
Saturday, August 18, 2012
tim coulson's "the nursery" - on tour
I'm so excited to share this news with you....Tim Coulson's "The Nursery" is going on tour. In response to a plethora of requests from Australia and beyond, Tim and Kesh have organised 10 new workshops. The Nursery will visit NSW, QLD and Tasmania in the next few months and come 2013 the Coulson's will be in WA, SA and across the seas in New Zealand. Plans are under-way for a Northern Hemisphere journey too (dates to come soon).
If you want to know a little more about this unique photography experience you can read my review here.
Are you planning on attending one of
If you want to know a little more about this unique photography experience you can read my review here.
Are you planning on attending one of



































