Third Drawer Down – For Those ‘Hard to Buy For’ People in Your Life

Tags

Ai Weiwei, Art museum, Christmas, Gift, Gifts, Gifts for hard to buy for people, Holidays, Irreverent gifts, Museum, Shopping, third drawer down

Colouring Book For Grown Ups
Materials needed: colouring utensils, scissors. Optional: Emotional Maturity, Financial Independence, Quality of Life, A paralysing sense of complete and total failure.
Available for $15 from Third Drawer Down
(Image from Third Drawer Down)

When it comes to giving, some people stop at nothing. (Vernon McLellan)

The silly season is nearly here. It’s fast approaching that time of the year when shopping for multitudes of gifts is upon us. Unless, of course, you are one of those ridiculously organised peeps who manages to shop throughout the year and finish your list in August. If so, this post is not for you (unless you want to bookmark it for next year!)

I quite like shopping for gifts. Actually, I get into it in a big way. I may have mentioned that I even theme my Christmas wrapping – which I freely admit may have OCD overtones.

But, there are times when it is not fun to shop for gifts. There are times when you have to buy for someone who is particularly hard to buy for. In times like these, there are a trusted few online stores that may help you out of your pickle.

And, top of my list is Third Drawer Down. I first discovered this wonderful trove of treasures after spotting one of their artist-designed tea towels years ago. And, the tea towel selection remains a winner for me, to this day. I even loved one of my purchases so much, I had it framed.

And, I don’t think the Third Drawer Down peeps will mind if I lift their description straight from the website – it explains what they are so much better than I ever could:

Third Drawer Down and the Museum of Art Souvenirs Store is a storefront museum and place of trade in Fitzroy, Australia. Assembling a curated array of art and designer products, the store functions as a museum and retail space with objects either hand-picked from various popular cultural contexts or made by Third Drawer Down Studio for leading cultural clients around the world.

The Museum of Art Souvenirs Store is nestled behind a graffiti tagged garage door and is Australia’s only trading museum. It’s like visiting all the best museum stores in one spot, and shipped everywhere (even to the moon). Our eccentric and witty taste of products by artists/designers and niche brands and publishers that question the mainstream conditions under which art and culture are bought and sold. (Third Drawer Down)

I have put together a few of my favourite bits’ n’ bobs from their current catalogue…

Altered Ceramic Plate – Bearded Woman
Available for $74 from Third Drawer Down (currently out of stock)
(Image from Third Drawer Down)

Bedtime Story Pillowcases by David Shrigley
Available for $65 from Third Drawer Down (currently out of stock)
(Images from Third Drawer Down)

‘Lab’ Animal Clothes Hanger
Available for $19 from Third Drawer Down
I know JUST the man for this gift…
(Image from Third Drawer Down)

Famos Vegetable Peeler
Available for $15 from Third Drawer Down
According to Remodelista, this is the best vegetable peeler to own. AND, it looks so sexy, too…
(Image from Third Drawer Down)

Easy Frame by Puebco
Available for $26 in a range of colours from Third Drawer Down
(Images from Third Drawer Down)

Ai Weiwei Study of Perspective Silk Scarf
A MOST covetable piece, I think!
Available for $140 from Third Drawer Down
(Image from Third Drawer Down)

Now, I know there are some of you asking why I’m talking gift buying IN OCTOBER!? But, consider this – Third Drawer Down ships all over the world – it just may take a little longer to arrive if you live in Timbuktu…

I Have a Crush on Peter Gordon…

Tags

Book, Cookbook, Cooking, food, Gift, Kiwi, kiwi hospitality, London, Marylebone High Street, michael mcgrath, New Zealand, Peter Gordon, Recipe, restaurants, Shopping

Image of Peter Gordon taken by Jonathon Gregson
(Image from here)

When I last lived in London, a million years ago now, I could often be found at The Providores and Tapa Room on Marylebone High Street. I loved it for its laid back Kiwi hospitality. I loved it for its most excellent flat whites. I loved it for its amazing cocktails. And, most of all, I loved it for the seriously great brunch menu.

When LM and I were in London earlier this year, I think we visited the Tapa Room four times for breakfast. It is still as good as I remember. If you are visiting London, a visit to Peter Gordon and Michael McGrath’s institution (it has been around since 2001), is well worth a look-see.

If you have not yet come across the understated and talented Mr Gordon, you should know that he is widely credited as being the ‘godfather’ of fusion cuisine. He is famous for his unique culinary philosophy where he mixes cuisines, flavours and styles of cookery. I think his food is also very clean on the palate. And, of course, the fact that he happens to hail from New Zealand, makes him just a wee bit special.

So, when I was out doing some last-minute Christmas shopping yesterday, I was very pleased to see Peter has come out with a new book. Better still, it is called ‘Everyday’ and is all about how one can create fusion-style food at home. Of course, I bought it (duh!). I have yet to cook from it but after spending a happy hour reading through it, I can tell you there are several recipes I want to try toot sweet…

Peter Gordon ‘Everyday’ (Australasia Edition)

Five Spice Steamed Pork with Noodles and Broccoli, anyone…?

You can pick up a copy of Peter Gordon’s Everyday here. I think he’s fab’…

Leila Jeffreys Is No Flaming Galah…

Tags

Australia, Bird, Birds, Budgie, Christmas, Cockatoo, Galah, Gift, Jonathan Adler, Leila Jeffreys, Photographer, Photography, Shopping, Sydney, Tim Olsen Gallery

‘Queenie’, the Galah Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys)

galah

n
1. an Australian cockatoo, Kakatoe roseicapilla, having grey wings, back, and crest and a pink body
2. Austral slang a fool or simpleton

When you first arrive in Sydney (and possibly all of Australia, for that matter) one of the first things you notice are the birds. Both colourful and noisy, Australian birds are hard to ignore. Their cries start as the sun rises and seem to go all day…

Perhaps one of the most noticeable types of bird are the cockatoos. Until I came to Australia, I had only ever seen a cockatoo in the zoo. Here in Sydney, they are everywhere and they have bold and loud personalities.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys)

Leila Jeffreys is developing quite the following for her bird photography, and when you see her work, it is easy to see why.

Leila’s love of birds has led her all around Australia and the world. She has photographed and helped scientists study endangered birds on Christmas Island; she has been welcomed into the world of pedigree budgerigar ‘best in show’ bird competitions; and she has photographed migrating birds across Europe.

She recently exhibited her Biloela – Wild Cockatoos body of work at the Tim Olsen Gallery which threw a bright spotlight on Australia’s incredibly beautiful cockatoo.

She says, “Now that I’m an adult, I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing than spending a day with some birds, getting to know them, them getting to know me and finding a way to cut through our differences until we’re left with one animal photographing another”

If I had a talent for photography and a passion for birds like yours, Leila, I think I’d feel exactly the same way…

‘Seisa’, Palm Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys) 

‘Neville’, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo by Leila Jeffreys
(Image © Leila Jeffreys)

If you’d like to learn more about Leila Jeffreys and her cockatoo series, or perhaps check out her budgie series (which was good enough for Jonathan Adler), you’ll get access her site here.

Tim Olsen Gallery still has available works of Leila’s for sale, too. What a Christmas present…

Blog Stalking the Purl Bee and D.I.Y. Gifts…

Tags

Art, Christmas, craft, Crochet, Do it yourself, Gift, Gifts, home, Homemade, Knitting, Knitting and Crochet, Purl Bee, Purl Soho, Sewing

Purl Bee Embroidered Stockings from Molly’s Sketchbook
Now, see – I would start these for my nephews and niece AND they would have left home by the time I finish them…
(Image from Purl Bee)

It’s getting toward that time of year again. You know – when you start getting that Christmassy feeling. Even down here in the heat of the southern hemisphere, I turn the tiniest bit hausfrau on poor old LM. I start planning home-made goodies – my granola (made from a secret recipe) is a tradition for one friend, my Mum’s Christmas mince tart recipe is legend, and this year I think some apricot balls and rum balls are in order, too. Maybe.

I start making lists and wanting to discuss Christmas plans with LM – which turns him the tiniest bit green. LM is not a social planner kind of guy. He is more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, she’ll-be-alright-on-the-night, any-more-laid-back-I’ll-fall-over kind of guy. In this matter, we are very different.

And, then there is the gift list. It is fair to say that I love buying presents for people. I spend considerable time thinking about what to buy (or in the case of granola girl – make) for my nearest and dearest. It makes me happy. Now, don’t laugh, but I have already made some headway into this year’s list.

Sadly, there is also a tiny problem. Deep, deep down at my very core, there beats the heart of a girl who wants to show her love and affection by making something from scratch. All good, you say. Unfortunately, there’s a rub – I always bite off more than I can chew, get super caught up in the whirlwind that is the silly season, and then fail to finish my chosen made from scratch present. Consequently, the quilt I started making for Mum and Dad’s beach house TWO YEARS AGO, remains incomplete. The amazing embroidered cushion I started for my sister BEFORE SHE MET THE MAN SHE NOW LIVES WITH is lying half-finished in the spare room cupboard. I could go on.

All of this brings me to the real subject of this post – the Purl Bee. My first port of call when I am looking for inspiration for made from scratch, DIY gifts. For the uninitiated, the Purl Bee is a very tasty craft blog created by Purl Soho, the most fabulous shop in New York, where they publish ideas for you to knit, crochet, sew, stitch and more!

If you happen to be a regular TSL reader, you will know that I cannot knit. It is simply not in me to learn. Clearly, I missed that particular gene when Mum was handing them out.  I gave crochet a good bash (as evidenced here), but it seems I am destined to fail at that craft, as well – despite my teacher telling me she could teach anyone*. I must have been the exception that proves the rule. But I can stitch after a fashion, AND I have a sewing machine and I sort of know how to use it (although, I’m no seamstress).

I trawl through the wonderful projects and tutorials on the Purl Bee and my imagination goes wild with ideas for future unfinished, made from scratch, DIY gifts…

Purl Bee Big Red Bobbi Bear from Colourful Crafting with Jen
I know, I know – but I can dream…
(Image from Purl Bee)

Purl Bee Flannel Receiving Blankets from Laura’s Loop
I reckon I could possibly just about master these, only I would like them in brighter colours…
(Image from Purl Bee)

Purl Bee Loop de Loop Pillows from Molly’s Sketchbook
Now these, I’m confident I could do
(Image from Purl Bee)

Purl Bee Hand Sewn Felt Dolls by Mimi Kirchner
How divine are these?
(Image from Purl Bee)

Purl Bee Felted Wool Patchwork Throw
Now, see – who has a Nordic looking bedroom that tidy? Not me.
(Image from Purl Bee)

Purl Bee Handstitched Napkins from Molly’s Sketchbook
These, I could definitely manage!
(Image from Purl Bee)

Purl Soho Super Easy Baby Blanket
So easy that I can’t make it… But I SO want to!
(Image from Purl Bee)

If you would like to be inspired by Purl Bee and potential unfinished, made from scratch, DIY gifts, go and check out the site here. It is GORGEOUS!

*If you’re interested, I have moved on to yoga, and I’m better at that than I thought I would be. Go figure!

Le Labo – Sparking A Fragrance Revolution

Tags

beauty, Branding, Exclusive, Fragrance, Frank Capra, Gift, Health, Jo Malone, Le Labo, Mecca Cosmetica, Myer, Paris, Perfume, Shopping, style, Sydney

Le Labo Store (Marylebone)
(Image from here)

Don’t follow trends. Start them! (Frank Capra)

The fab’ duo at Le Labo, Edouard Roschi and Fabrice Penot, reckon that in a world where luxury perfumes are mass-produced and sold in places that look like supermarkets, where advertising campaigns try to fool consumers into thinking they are unique even though their ‘one of a kind’ fragrances are worn by millions across the globe, they offer another solution…

According to the good people of Le Labo, the first time you wear a Le Labo perfume, you’ll realise instantly how very different it is from traditional perfumes. Le Labo perfumes (apparently) ‘SHOCK’ and it’s that shock that captivates, astounds, titillates, intrigues and beguiles. I’m not yet convinced I want my scent to astound…

Le Labo perfumes are reputed to be special – not only because of the quality of materials used, but because they are made-to-order.

Regardless of whether you believe the hype, the packaging is gorgeous and I am looking forward to visiting the newest Le Labo boutique in Paris…

Le Labo Store (Marylebone)
(Image from here)

Le Labo Store (Marylebone)
(Image from here)

One of the very cool options offered by Le Labo is to provide the curious the opportunity (for a price) to sample its wares before splurging on an entire bottle. If, like me, you are fussy about your fragrance, this saves the pain of plunking down good cash for something later discovered to be personally repellant.

Le Labo Discovery Set
(Image from here)

For those of you in Syders who have yet to discover the magic of Le Labo, head to Mecca at Myer (George Street). I can’t believe I’m about to let you in on one of my best gift ideas, but a Le Labo candle is just about one of the best gifts for that special girlfriend – and you can personalise it! Move over Jo Malone!

The Le Labo website is gorgeous – well worth checking out here.

Dual-Purpose Wrap Magazine – What a Fab’ Idea …

Tags

Arts, Chris Harrison, Designers, Gift, Gift wrapping, giftwrap, London, London Design Festival, Magazine Subscription, Magazines, Paper, Paper Design, Polly Glass, Shopping, Stationery, Surface Design

Wrap Magazine – Issue 5
(Image from thewrapper.com)

My September edition of Elle Decoration arrived while I was in NZ – Oh happy day! (For those of you in the UK who have had their copies for a g e s , remember this is the antipodes!)

Anyhoo, I was flicking through it this morning and I came across the very cool looking Wrap – a magazine that apparently celebrates the very best in illustration, design and creative culture from around the globe, AND each issue comes with five double-sided pull-out sheets of unique wrapping paper. Is that not a great concept? A magazine about surface design WITH usable surface design included.

Launched during London Design Festival 2010, co-founders Chris Harrison and Polly Glass want to help promote exciting up-and-coming illustrators and designers. The latest edition on ‘Human Endeavours’ is aimed at highlighting some of the fantastic physical and creative things that people get up to, from endeavouring to open a new design shop to setting out to reach the South Pole.

I think it looks wonderful…

Sample of Wrap Magazine – Issue 5
(Image from thewrapper.com)

Sample of Wrap Magazine – Issue 5
(Image from thewrapper.com)

Sample of Wrap Magazine – Issue 5
(Image from thewrapper.com)

I’m sure it’ll come as no surprise to you that I signed right up. If you’d like to have a wee gander at what Wrap has to offer by way of magazine or wrapping paper, head here. Polly and Chris have a great web-site and I just may have to spend some time on their blog…

Banjo & Matilda’s First Class Jet Set Package

Tags

Australia, Banjo & Matilda, Bondi, Cashmere, Design, Fashion, Gift, Knitting, Lifestyle, Shopping, style, Sydney

Sometimes the perfect gift just jumps out at you. I have a very good friend who is not the easiest girl to buy for. She’s fabulously talented, has a great career and if she wants for anything, she usually buys it herself. This buddy of mine, she travels a lot. So, when I saw this wee number at Banjo & Matilda, it had her name written all over it.

A travel sized pillow and co-ordinating sleep mask in cashmere no less!!! How gorgeous is that? AND – how to feel like you’re (almost) up the pointy end of the plane when you really aren’t…

Here’s the front of the blue set:

and, (just when you thought it couldn’t get any better) here’s the back:

For those of you (like me) who like to have your deluxe cashmere fly incognito, so to speak…

Ooh la la!  It comes in black (and a series of other colours), too:

And THEN, (if you are a better friend than me!) there is also…

The matching travel blanket. Hoo-ha!:

Headquartered in Bondi Beach in Sydney, Belynda Macpherson launched her Banjo & Matilda business in 2008. With its philosophy of low maintenance style and comfort – but always in luxe cashmere, mind you – it resonates strongly with the relaxed Aussie lifestyle of sun, sand and the surf.

For those of you who may not be aware, the Banjo & Matilda brand is a lovely Aussie success story.  Currently they have a great womens-wear selection, with plans to extend their range into mens and baby.

I can say from experience that the Banjo & Matilda customer service is fantastic.  Truly – and, I don’t say that lightly. For those of you outside Australia, they conveniently ship their cashmere worldwide from their on-line store, delivering it in custom-made brown boxes to their customers’ doorsteps. And it arrives fast.

If you have a few minutes, have a squizz at the Banjo & Matilda website here.

(All images sourced from Banjo & Matilda)

A bear with a very little brain…

Tags

AA Milne, Australia, Brenda May Gallery, Brunch, Danks Street, Design, food, Gift, Jared Ingersoll, Jonathan Leahey, Sydney, Teddy Bear, Waterloo

If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.  (A. A. Milne)

My Ted

One of my very favourite presents ever, and one that has given me much happiness is my ‘Ted’ sculpture (complete with his stuffing coming out), by Australian artist, Jonathan Leahey.  I was going to give you a wee exposé on Jonathan Leahey but I couldn’t readily find much information on him.  Bah humbug!  

No matter.  I have my Ted and I love him.

My Ted was acquired from the very fabulous Brenda May Gallery in Danks Street, Waterloo (that’s in Sydney, for all you out-of-towners).   There is often something quirky or fabulous at Brenda May’s, and always somebody willing to have a chat about the art on show.

Here are a couple more Ted’s from the Jonathan Leahey ‘Soft’ exhibition:

Jonathan Leahey's Ted 4

Jonathan Leahey's Ted 3

Danks Street is a fab’ wee spot for a bit of weekend wandering if you’re in town.  The gallery is right beside Kiwi Jared Ingersoll’s ‘Danks Street Depot’, one of my long-time favourite brunch spots (Try the slow-cooked broccoli and eggs.  Yum!).