Sunday, September 15, 2013

Sunday @ The Baker's Arms

This afternoon, a friend and I choose to revel in the endless sunshine and venture through some of Brisbane's delightful homewares boutiques. As an aside, is it bad to spend time lusting over/ purchasing copious amounts of furniture and object d'art without my own abode in which to put them? The correct answer: of course not! 

In the midst of our expedition, we happened upon a delightful bakery in Woolloongabba's renowned enclave of vintage stores. The aptly named 'Baker's Arms' offers a bevy of delightful baked treats, all handmade on the premises (the Banoffee Pie is a particular treat!) Add the seemingly endless drinks menu, complete with old-school milkshakes and you have the ideal venue to while away a lazy Saturday afternoon. 

             Freshly baked pastries 

     Empty flour bags adorning the walls

                      Drinks menu

         Delicious vanilla milkshakes

              Gourmet sausage roll 

                     Banoffee pie

The essential details:
The Baker's Arms
29 Logan Road
WOOLLOONGABBA

Bon appetite! Xx

Sunday, June 16, 2013

One Fine Sunday

With the weather outside delightful (albeit a tad chilly) and myself with a rare day off, I decided to embrace my hedonistic tendencies and make the most of the sunshine.

After a delightfully sinful sleep-in, I arose for a brunch outing with friends at The Chelsea Bistro, located at the ever-delightful Barracks complex.After awakening my senses with my usual soy latte I indulged in the truly decadent buttermilk hotcakes with poached pear and salted vanilla caramel. The vintage-style interior, with wall-to-wall mirrors and ample cosy nooks in which to escape the cold was the perfect accompaniment to the heart-warming food on offer.

I then wiled away some time at Bulimba, downing further caffeine at Mary Ryan's and losing myself in the sea of literature at Riverbend Books. Consistent with my penchant for coffee table books, I acquired a wonderful tome, summarising all  major psychological discoveries and theorists of the past 150 years.

The latter part of the afternoon was spent ensconced in a thick blanket, curled up on the shore of Moreton Bay, indulging in some classic literature.

The perfect culmination of this sublime day? A glass (or two) of sparkling rosé and homemade roast pork, complete with crackling, applesauce and paprika-laced, baked kipfler potatoes.

Delightful hotcakes @ the Chelsea Bistro

 
Leafy Bulimba

 Visits to Mary Ryan's...a guilty pleasure

My new purchase

Beautiful Moreton Bay

I hope everyone had a blissful weekend! Xx

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Gastronomic Delights at the Crackerjack Carnival

I spent the weekend volunteering at the Crackerjack Carnival, an event which is a true institution on the Southside of Brisbane. While it is far removed from my usual 'scene' I was delighted to find that, hidden amongst the maze of carnival rides and show time games, there was a plethora of delicious food to choose from, which went far beyond usual carnival fare. Warranting special mention were the Greek stall, providing tasty grilled haloumi and moist, marinated baby octopus. Steve's Grilled Bratwurst, offering a wide range of traditional German sangers with a full compliment of sides, such as sauerkraut and German mustard. Other delightful offerings included wood fired pizzas, Mexican tucker and freshly brewed coffee.

There was also a glut of tasty homemade fudge, rocky road and liquorice. But alas, I succumbed to the ultimate rookie error: eating before going on the rides!

Bon appetite! Xx







Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Vintage Glam with a Pinch of Salt

To thank my mum for all the truly wonderful things she does for me (and for putting up my me and my babbling, hard as it must be at times), I arranged a sublime morning of of traipsing through the narrow, labyrinthine aisles of some of Brisbane's best antique shops and brunch at Salt, one of Rosalie's splendid cafés.

Unfortunately, the inclement weather saw us dodging rain drops so we selected the compact Wooloongabba area (near Logan Road) as our choice for some old world charm, and descended upon the Wooloongabba Antique Centre and surrounding stores. Alas, the Antique Centre was home to a glut of 1970s kitsch on this occasion, however there was a rather stunning three piece set that caught my eye. Perhaps a worthwhile addition to the balcony of my future apartment?

Darling three-piece set.


A particular gem we stumbled upon was European Design. Overflowing with vintage-inspired pieces, the furniture was both stunning and well-priced. Always a lover of feature chairs, I spotted this rather sublime orange offering. At just over $700 I thought it a bargain...and just a little bit chic.

Orange statement chair.


The final notable find of our shopping efforts was That Shop, part of the newly gentrified enclave on Logan Road. This Pandora's box of divine dresses inspired by the 1950s and 1960s was akin to being in pin-up heaven. It is the first time I have found such a wonderful range of vintage style dresses and skirts outside of the American web-based brands. Even better, the customer service in this store is impeccable! It is clear that the girls working here eat, breathe and live pin-up style and are passionate about sharing it with their customers. Needless to say, I walked out with a delightful black and white polka dot dress and a rather fabulous black petticoat.

In true old school style, the shop doesn't have a website, so I have generously included all the essential details below:

That Shop
28A Logan Road, Woolloongabba
Ph: 07 3891 2164
Open: Monday to Friday 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Saturday 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Sunday 9:30 am to 3:30 pm

And so to brunch. While Salt is known for providing quality fare morning, noon and night, it is the breakfast/ brunch menu which I find most endearing, packed with flavourful fresh produce and ample unique breakfast options.

This was my third visit and, I am pleased to report that without exception the waitstaff have been knowledgeable and efficient and the food divine.

However, an important note for those who are sensitive to caffeine: the lattes come with their own postcode! Served in bowls (SOUP bowls to be precise), they provide a mammoth caffeine hit...I was buzzing for the rest of the day!

Coffee.

Field mushrooms and panchetta.

Savoury mince with poached egg and Turkish pide.


All in all, a delightful morning out with my wonderful mum. Xx


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

A Beautiful Bistro

I recently stumbled across the most delightful, welcoming and (I can't believe I'm saying this) reasonably priced French bistro in New Farm. A hole-in-the-wall establishment on Methyr Road, the provincial-style Bistro Arlette, with its hardwood floors, secluded courtyard and twinkling fairylights proved the perfect venue to spend a languid Saturday eve.

From start to finish, our experience was near faultless. The waitstaff were cheerful and knowledgeable, the décor was divine and the food was delicious and delivered in a timely manner (despite the restaurant being full to the brim).

Just as a side note for future diners: the restaurant is BYO, so be sure to bring a delightful tipple or two to accompany the gastronomic delights that await you.

Warranting particular mention was the escargot, topped with a delightful puff pastry to soak with the decadent garlic butter sauce. The duck a l'orange was perfectly sweet and the house-made profiteroles, with their light-as-air choux pastry and silky Chantilly cream was as good as one would expect to dine on in Paris.

The one minor let down was the presentation of the food, which was merely placed on the plate, without any pomp and ceremony. However, it is possible that this is a conscious decision of the restaurant, to remain true to the traditionally fuss-free, provincial style of dining.

The frontage of Bistro Arlette

The delightful rosé we indulged in with dinner

Escargot in herb and garlic butter with topped with pastry

Traditional Cassoulet


Profiteroles with warm chocolate sauce

All in all, this is a true hidden gem which made for a delightful evening.

Bon appétit!Xx


Monday, April 22, 2013

Susan Patton: Anti-Feminist or Purveyor of Motherly Advice?

Recently, I have been mulling over Susan's Patton's letter to the Editor of the Daily Princetonian. For those  who have thus far managed to escape reading it, in her correspondence, Patton implores the bright, young women of Princeton to pay attention not only to their studies, but to honing in on a life partner.

Feminists and young women everywhere have expressed their outrage at her remarks. She has been lambasted for debasing women and being completely out of touch. Many have equated her remarks to suggesting future happiness is dependent on your relationship status and accused her of urging women to place more value on marriage than achievement and personal growth.

However, this grossly misinterprets Patton's remarks, which are much more about urging women to find a soulmate, someone who is their intellectual match. It therefore stands to reason that, when you are the cream of the crop (as all Princetonites are), a vast majority of men feel threatened by your skills and abilities, and to find someone compatible requires reaching to the upper echelons of society. Maybe somewhere like, I don't know, an Ivy League University?

Still don't believe me? Have a look at some of Patton's comments, below. Do they sound like those of an antiquated anti-feminist, or simply an alum urging the girls of today not to sell themselves short?

"Smart women can’t (shouldn’t) marry men who aren’t at least their intellectual equal. As Princeton women, we have almost priced ourselves out of the market. Simply put, there is a very limited population of men who are as smart or smarter than we are. And I say again — you will never again be surrounded by this concentration of men who are worthy of you."

Surely Patton's sentiments simply mirror what the parents of young girls have been telling them their whole lives: don't sell yourself short.

Since reading Patton's comments, I've come across many pieces written in response. Most interesting was the New York Times Op-Ed by Ross Douthat. Douthat attempts to reduce Patton's remarks to a diatribe on class, when it couldn't be further from the truth. On a base level, Patton never once mentions class, money or status, simply intellect.But look deeper and her remarks ring true to all higher learning institutions, irrespective of class or socio-economic status.

But class analysis aside, I believe the real reason women have railed against Patton's comments so strongly is that she dares to profess that women need partners. Ever since the 1970s, women have been told they can do anything, which is true. But as we have focused on obtaining degrees, climbing the corporate ladder, mastering several languages and travelling the world, we have come to believe that there is something inherently 'anti-feminist' about actively seeking a partner. That looking for a man to share our lives and futures with is akin to admitting that we, on our own, are not enough. That we are not complete without another. Most of us take for granted that, eventually, we will serendipituously meet the man of our dreams, be swept off our feet and live happily ever after. But focusing on finding a partner is considered taboo.

Needless to say, I don't resent Patton or view her comments as offensive. I know many will beg to differ, but in closing, I leave you with this thought: serendipity is all dependent on being in the right place at the right time. What better place/ time than when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven, successful people? And no one's expecting you to put a ring on it at 22; but can a step in the right direction really hurt?

Kat xx

Ps. Want to read more? Take a look at Dr Lesley Bell's response to Patton's comments in Psychology Today

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Philippino Beauty

When asked to provide the name of a picturesque locale, the Philippines is seldom the initial response.

While I freely admit that the nation's capital, Manila, filled with decaying buildings left over from the Marcos regime encircled by slums is not exactly picturesque, beauty can be found in the lapping waters in Manila Bay and the cheerful (if slightly gaudy) Jeepneys.

But it is away from this metropolis that the country really shines. In the rugged provincial towns and minuscule white sands islands.

Still not convinced? Take a peak at some of the pristine shots I collected on a past visit.

Kat xx

View from our Manila hotel room

A colourful Jeepney

Sunset over Manila Bay

Western advertising welcomes visitors to the tiny island of Boracay

 Glorious white sand beaches on Boracay island


Steps to Crystal Cove, Boracay

 
A storm rolling in over the mountains, Boracay