The Year That Was...

Ah, 2012...the year that was. I don't know about you guys but it seems that each year seems to move a little faster. I feel like next year I'll wake up, get out of the shower and it'll be 2018 or something...that is, if there are showers in the year 2018. We may have come up with more radical hygiene technology by then that involves giant people-sized window screen wipers or something. So now the big question upon us, dear Melbourne, what do we do for New Years Eve? How do we celebrate the year that bought us Gangnam Style, The Hobbit, The Wedge-sneaker and weird fad diets of quinoa and activated almonds. Perhaps you're planning a viewing of the riverside fireworks, or else some crazy arse warehouse party at an undisclosed secret location in Brunswick. Or, if you're anything like me you'll wrinkle your nose disdainfully at the hype that's placed upon this one minute of the whole freaking year (seriously, there are approximately 525, 949 minutes is a year, why is this one so important!?) and just try have a good night with your mates and a few drinks. And by a few, I mean many, many drinks.

What's probably got me most excited about New Years Eve is finding the outfit that perfectly describes the year 2012. Luckily, I found said outfit quite fortuitously just last weekend, in a dress by the brand Lioness. For starters, the colour grabbed my attention straight away, as this year has seen royal blues, deep reds, hot pinks and pretty pastel purples making a strong appearance on a clothing rack near you. So, as it looks like a rainbow has thrown up on this dress, I thought it quite perfect. It also features the compulsory 2012 peplum. I have to say, I never really got into them (they often give the impression that you're trying to smuggle Kim Kardashian under your dress), but it seemed to suit this dress and occasion so well that I could hardly resist. It also has the floral digi-print that we saw become so popular...who knew that fashion and nerd-burgery could be such good friends! Finally, I've teamed it with a statement necklace, bright nail polish and what other shoes but wedges?

So My Melburnians, whether you're dancing, eating, singing or, most probably, drinking the night away, make sure you do it in true 2012 style. Have a very happy New Year Melbourne, may 2013 bring us even more awesomness...and perhaps a little less Gangnam Style.

What I'm wearing
Dress:Lioness
Shoes:Steve Madden
Bag:Vintage from the Vintage Emporium

Sugar+Dough=Deliciousness

I realize that most of you are probably still recovering from hypoglycemic shock after Christmas from ingesting your own body weight in chocolate and candy canes, but I personally feel that there's always a teeny bit more space for some extra sugar. And that's why I'm going to tell you about a sweet little cafe on Lygon Street, East Brunswick, called Sugardough. You can either love me or hate me for it...actually, after you go you'll probably just love me.

As soon as you enter Sugardough you feel as though you've walked into your own Grandmother's living room...without that weird old person smell. This place has a quaint and cosy atmosphere, with cute frames hanging from the walls and pretty mismatching china, that makes you feel immediately at home.There's a simple breakfast menu, with items such as sourdough toast with smashed avocado, fetta and lemon, fruit toast with ricotta and berry compote or eggs with a small range of sides. For a more lunch orientated ordeal you can select from a cabinet of filled baguettes (I have to say, even though it was nine in the morning when I went, I kinda wanted one of the baguettes just because they looked so good. Rest assured, I shall return. Oh yes), or a range of tarts, soups and quiches.

But the thing that really gets your gut rumbling at Sugardough (as the name suggests) is the sweet stuff. They don't exactly make your choice easy either. Do you go for the nutella filled bomboloni? The walnut muesli slice? The escargot? For the love of God, how does one decide?! After about forty minutes of procrastination however, I finally did. I went for the brioche filled with custard and chocolate chips and my companions opted for an incredably rich (we're talking Bill Gates) chocolate brownie and a pistacchio biscotti (I felt that the choice of biscotti was somewhat weak. It was nice and all...but who chooses a tiny biscuit when there're custard filled cakes available. Really, poor form). The cakes were delicious, as one would expect when the main ingredients are cream, butter, sugar and chocolate.

Sugardough is a place that does simplicity oh so well and whole heartedly believes that the equation sugar+dough=deliciousness. So, if you feel as though you can handle it after you finally give birth to your Christmas Food Baby, call in and check it out. Sure, you probably don't need to eat more cake...actually, that's a lie. Cake should most definitely be consumed for your personal health and well being. For the good of all humanity, really.

Christmas Presents! And Not a Pencil Sharpener In Sight

Well, Christmas has come and gone in the blink of an eye and if you turned around to shell a barbecued prawn, you probably missed it. It's funny how so much anticipation is built up around this one day a year and then it passes by so quickly in a haze of Christmas trees and pudding. So. Much. Pudding. But while food babies come and go, there's one glorious thing about Christmas that remains (apart from family, love, joy and the rest of that gooey stuff). And that would be Presents! Sure, some can be stinkers...socks, old stamps because your Aunt still thinks you collect them or a pencil sharpener, but sometimes they can be just what you wanted.

My favorite present this Christmas (along with a much anticipated MacBook Air-it may still be in transit over the Indian Ocean, but as long as it arrives eventually, i'll be happy) is this pretty little dress from Glue Store, by Lulu and Rose. The big sunflower print makes it sweet and summery, whilst the bodycon fit makes it perfectly appropriate for night time wear. A dress with versatility that means it can be dressed up or down...it's as though all my Christmases have come at once!

So, apart from a food baby, what did everyone else get this Christmas?

Boxing Day Sales 101

For me Christmas means three things; extended family lunches consisting of tables heaving under piles of prawns and pudding (as well as sitting through hour-long stories told by old relatives), presents and, of course, Boxing Day Sales. Now, I don't mean to diminish the idea of Christmas being about family, peace and joy, but if I had to choose between hearing about how my Great Uncle found a whole dollar on the ground back in 1939, or buying a Sass and Bide dress at 40% off, I know which one I'd choose. Boxing Day sales, however, are not always a walk in the park...shopping centers become steam rooms and Bourke street turns into a spectacle from Gladiator. So, to get you through the sales, I've put together a little guide on how best to survive this, somewhat brutal, period.

1. Ladies, this one's for you and is perhaps one of the most crucial things to remember. To avoid pain, complaining and having feet like a hobbit the next day, for the love of God, do not wear heels. I know, I know, it may seem like a good idea at the time because they make everything you try on look better, but trust me, callouses the size of Tasmania on your big toe look hot on no one.

2. Bring a friend. Two pairs of hands are always better than one, and you never know, they might just swipe up that last Forever New skirt in the right size for you. What else are friends for?
*note: this friend must be fit, agile and completely dedicated to the shopping mission at hand. The weak get left behind.

3. Remember to cut your fingernails. This one seems a bit odd, I know, but when you're riffling through a pile of $10 clothes, your chances of scratching A) Yourself B) Your friends or C) A complete stranger, are significantly reduced.

4. Eating is a necessity. It may seem like a good idea at the time to shop through the entire afternoon without sustenance, but what with all the heat, queues and crowds, you'll need to keep your glucose levels up. Otherwise your mates will find you in the fetal position in a communal change room, sobbing because someone got to the last pair of Tony Bianco sandals before you. Not a good look.

5. Show at least a little restraint. It can be challenging when there's a pair of chinos for only $35, but have a think. Do you really need them considering you have eight pairs already? And there's nothing worse than pulling out all the clothes you bought that day, only to discover that you don't actually like any of them. I'm sure you thought that Slightly Too Big Pink Cardigan was a good idea at the time as it was only $15, but really...it probably wasn't.

6. Strap a hunting knife to your shin. Or stash a machete in your handbag. These are in lieu of your nails, of course. So when you have that slow motion moment where you and some blond bitch (I'm sure she's actually very nice, but let's assume she's a bitch for the stories sake) both leap for that last Finders Keepers Frock at the same time...she'll stand no chance. And you really, really want that dress.

So, with these little pointers in mind, you should be able to wrangle your way around the CBD, Melbourne Central, Brunswick Street, Chadstone and Chapel Street, without too much drama. Happy shopping my Dear Melbourne Ones...let the sales begin!

The Samson Girl Christmas Gift Guide

Oh my God, it's three days until Christmas! Let's all panic, hyperventilate, cram ourselves into shopping centers and forget how to drive! For some reason Christmas seems to come around much faster than we all expect and before you know it, the begining of November has turned into Mid December. However, before you resort to this irrational state of being and buying everyone in your family a dictionary, have a look through this little Gift Guide I've put together. It should help you tie up any loose ends you have hanging about and cover your presents for friends right through to that Great Aunt Hildegard who loves cats and tea cosies. Because I know we all have a Great Aunt Hildegard somewhere in our family...
 

 Add a bit of sugar and spice to someone's life this Christmas with some of the incredible offerings from  Gewurzhaus spice shop, located on Lygon Street as well as the City's The Block Arcade. The Mayans got it wrong with the whole 'end of the world thing', but they sure hit the nail on the head with this Mayan Chilli Chocolate. And while you're at it, why not check out the Macadamia Nut Dukkah or the French Lavender Salt. Mmm...exotic.

The perfect gift for your sartorially savy friend. Scott Schuman's 'The Sartorialist', and now, 'The Sartorialist Closer', gives the reader the oportunity to view fashion from all over the world, through the eyes of this world renound Author, Blogger and Photographer.

Smelly stuff...um, for your smelly friend? Or just because everyone loves a nice scented candle! Perhaps Ripened Raspberry or Eggnogg (it literally smells good enough to drink) by Australian brand Mi Amor.

For that special man friend who's constantly complaining about not have enough space in his wallet. The 'Daniel Wallet' from Australian brand Status Anxiety comes in three colours, features four card slots, a snap shut coin compartment and is made from premium Italian leather. If this doesn't keep him happy, I don't know what will.

 A present for your bestie (oh hell, why not just buy one for yourself too), this beautiful What Goes Around Comes Around ring from Australian Designer Tara Lawson slips in at a glorious $50 and says best friends forever like nothing else. Check out the rest of her amazing new line, 'Kiss', on her website at www.taralawson.com.

For that Tweeny Bopper cousin of yours who's always listening to Bieber. The colourful array of nail polishes from Kester Black are bound to keep her entertained...and the best part is that you can always steal, I mean, 'borrow' them.

Some bright and colourful beads from Emily Green for that quirky and kinda hip Auntie of yours. You'll get change from a fifty and they'll brighten her day.

Everyone loves chocolate. Fact. So for that hard-to-buy-for Uncle, this Medium Sized Christmas Hamper from Koko Black seems perfectly appropriate. Available for $60 from all Koko Black retailers.

 

The gift that says, 'feed me more please!', it's perfect for your parents to ensure you never see bangers and mash on the dinner table again. Clockwise from top left: Maha-Middle Eastern Cooking by Shane Delia. What Kate Ate-Recipes and Other Bits and Bobs by Katie Quinne Davis. Heston's Fantastic Feasts by Heston Blumenthal (you may need gloves and protective goggles for this one). The Butcher the Baker the Best Coffee Maker by Gaye Weeden and Hayley Smorgon. This one's less of a cookbook and more a cultural foodie guide to the best that Melbourne has to offer.

I know they say they don't need help with their styling, but let's be honest, Brothers always do. So help him out by starting with a pair of vans, they come in so many colours, wear like a charm and are the perfect staple in any wardrobe. Vans are available in all Vans retailers, as well as General Pants and Glue Stores, which can be found in Melbourne Central and other locations around the CBD.

 

 After all that shopping for other people you'll probably be thinking about presents for yourself (don't lie and pretend you weren't, we all want presents for Christmas). So on my wish list this year is the Sunflower Bodycon Dress from Lulu and Rose. It's available at Glue Store for a cheeky $60...just in case anyone wanted to know. Cough.

Well, that about wraps up the Samson Girl Gift Guide (geddit!). I hope you find it useful in getting you through  this, often traumatic, festive season and that you're not out shopping at 11pm on Christmas Eve. Unless it's for yourself, as this would be completely acceptable. Oh yeah, and about Great Aunt Hildegard...some tea coasters should do the trick.

Chicken Burritos and Trannies...Thank You South Melbourne

As the market season reaches it's peak in Melbourne Town, it can be somewhat of a challenge to fit them all in to this busy season. Do I go to the People's Market, The Sisters Market, the St Kilda Market, the Shirt and Skirt Market or the classic Victoria Night Market? Everywhere I turn my head there's a new market popping up (they breed faster than rabbits with a seriously strong sex drive) and I'm starting to get some terrible whiplash. Luckily however, I did manage to make it to the final sesh of the South Melbourne Night Market yesterday before it's closure over these Chrisymassy times.

Set up underneath the verandah of Cecil and Coventry Street, this market pedals a range of independent local fashion, hawker-style street food, live music (there were also some very, er, colorful transvestites), wine bars and local restaurants. The fashion and jewellery stalls were a little more low key than some other markets I've frequented, with the items seeming a little more rustic and homemade. Though much to my delight I did spy a pair if Prada heels for only 250 dollars, before my delight was crushed when I discovered they were a size 6. I took comfort from the fact that the person who bought them was probably very short.

Inside the market itself there are a number of permanent shops set up which held the most interesting array of objects. Cute and quirky places selling awesome stationary and mini hot air balloons as well as, my favorite, a jewellery store called Stone Glint & Bone, which sold an array of incredible chunky and drool inducing pieces. The food is a highlight at the market, with Spanish, Turkish and seafood restaurants all pumping with hungry market-goers and food stalls selling chicken burritos. I probably didn't look all that attractive with sauce running down my arm and bean mix on my shoes, but damn they were good burritos!

For my final market before Christmas I feel like the South Melbourne satisfied all my needs. Though there is still a weekend before Christmas...I wonder if I could fit another one in...

An Injection Of Croft

No one likes a trip to the doctors. Or hospitals, for that matter. I, in particular, don't like overpaid old dudes in white coats trying to sell me drugs I don't need and waiting rooms that smell like detergent...they make me sneeze. So, if you told me that your idea of a good Saturday night out meant drinking in an old abandoned city hospital, I would think you were a crazy person. But that was before I discovered this particular Melbourne bar.

Located down the seriously dirty and graffiti covered (like, seriously dirty and graffiti covered) Croft Lane is the weird and somewhat creepy, Croft Institute. The only way you can tell there's anything down this lane way-apart from rats and old Chinese food containers still dripping with MSG-is the string of slightly eerie red fairy lights criss crossing their way to the door of the bar. Once an old hospital, the atmosphere of the place is a smidge disconcerting with it's super low lighting and displays of old test tubes, syringes and glass beakers, but it's also seriously cool...in an unconventional way of course. If you have a phobia of needles then I would stay away from the cocktails which are served, not with a traditional mini umbrella but instead with a syringe. As you do. But really, even if you do have a phobia you should still try the cocktails...after a couple you'll feel as comfortable drinking from them as if you were Kurt Cobain. The music's pretty good too, with DJs playing on both the top and bottom level, but really, it's the vibe and general unconventionality of The Croft Institute that make it something special.

So if you want to inject a little weird and wacky into your night (or you're just craving a cocktail of some sort) head down that dark, ominous lane way and follow the red lights. I promise you'll be chucking down tequila test tube shots in no time.

Maha Mystery

Lurking down Bond Street (aaand cue Skyfall music! sorry, I still haven't seen it yet and it's driving me crazy), just off Flinders Street, is a discrete and rather intriguing restaurant. It's so discrete in fact, that you might walk past it without a second glance...I might go as far to say that this is Melbourne's Restaurant of Mystery. As soon as you push open the glass doors of Maha and descend into this dark and seductive lair of a restaurant, you feel as though you've stepped into another (probably much more luxurious) world.

Maha was established in February 2008 as the brain child of chef Shane Delia, of Maltese heritage, and Made Establishment (being George Calombaris and his culinary peeps). I was pretty pumped to go to a George Calombaris (or Georgie Porgy...we're on a first name basis, you know) restaurant as I'd never been to one before and I've only ever heard good things. I must say, I was completely taken with Maha as soon as we stepped through the door. with it's Bedouin-styling, dark wooden tables, low lighting and shisha smoking room, you truly feel as though you're somewhere in the Middle East. There really is only one word to describe the feel of the place and that's sexy. Ahh yeeaah. My outfit seemed to suit the decor quite perfectly as I was wearing a beautiful soft and flowing Backstage dress (a bit sexy in it's own right) with my adventurous black fluffy clutch.

 What I wore: Dress from Backstage, shoes from Jo Mercer, clutch from Back Stage

 Necklace from Stannard-inc, ring from the Victorian Market

The menu at Maha is broken up into a few sections to make life a little easier for you. You can select from either the Sultans banquet, opting for eight or six courses, or the slightly more mysterious Sufrou menu, which is a selection of shared dishes prepared by the chef for the day. As I am ever so adventurous and enjoy surprises (unless it's the dog shit on my shoe kind of surprise...that's rather less enjoyable) we opted for the Sofrou menu and were indeed most pleasantly surprised.

We began the meal with a little palate cleanser (as well as, ahem, two or three one cocktail) of Egyptian hibiscus tea. Cleansing indeed it was and it all felt a bit exotic to tell you the truth. Following was the mezze board with an offering if small dishes, such as chargrilled eggplant with pomegranate molasses, fava bean foam with tomato salsa and lamb kofta and a delicious walnut and garlic dip with Turkish bread. All simple flavors and all very good. Next was the first round of hot dishes with, my favie, a chickpea, Lebanese couscous, prawn and octopus tagine. It was packed with spices and had a great zingy hit of lemon. Also super scrummy was the 12 hour cooked lamb shoulder covered in green olive and pistachio tabbouleh, accompanied by mushroom and zatar pilaf. I feel like I should tell you exactly what was good about this dish, but I think I probably had you at 12 hour cooked lamb shoulder. Mmm.

The mezze board

Chickpea, octopus and prawn tagine

Marlin with spinich and black bean chilli, fattoush salad, mushroom pilaf and lamb shoulder 

We happily made our way to the room allocated for shisha smoking for our final course of dessert. It sort of felt like we were entering some kind of Middle Eastern brothel (except perhaps more legal) as the room contained only couples, but that just kind of added to the whole sexy Bedouin-vibe thing. It really was all very James Bond appropriate. Dessert was a beautifully presented affair with the first dish of smoked white chocolate ganache, honey meringues, different textures of chocolate and lavender sugar. The smokiness of the chocolate worked perfectly with the rest of the dish and the chocolate wasn't overpowering or too sweet. There was a nice pistachio and vanilla cleanser before we dove into the honey and hazelnut covered Turkish donuts. To add another note of mystery and surprise, there were sweet and juicy balls of Turkish delight lingering sneakily in the center of the donuts. Finger licking goodness.

The oh so good smoked white chocolate ganache with textures of chocolate

 mmm...donuts

Ascending the stairs back up to the real world was rather disappointing. There were no camels, no cobra in a woven basket and no Danial Craig chilling out in Bond Street. But for a moment, just a moment, we had been transported to that Middle Eastern world filled with mystery, shisha smoke and secret spies. Well, maybe not that last part, but a girl can dream, right...especially when it involves Daniel Craig.

A Little Bit of Boss to Brighten My Weekend

BOSS
[b-oss]
Adjective:
1. An old CEO Guy wearing a bad suit and odd socks
2. When an object is so incredibly cool, awesome and original that it's impossible for Samson Girl to resist.
This definition pretty much sums up the the incredible jewellery I bought by the label Stannard-inc at the Big Design Market on the weekend. The second definition that is, not the first. I promise that the jewellery I purchased does not mildly represent a balding middle aged corporate man. That would be odd.

Stannard-inc is a Sydney based label that creates handmade jewellery and accessories for men and women. Their pieces are spontaneous, a talking point (good for those awkward I-know-you-but-don't-really-know-you Christmas conversations with your great Aunt), bold and meld classic jewellery designs with cutting edge street style. The brand features bronze, copper, brass, feathers and leather throughout the work but the designs are always changing and morphing into new lines. I loved the chunky, bohemian aspect of the pieces...after all it is summer, and who doesn't love a bit of Bohemia when the weather warms up. I mean Bohemia in the fashionable sense by the way, not in the no shoe wearing and no showering kind of of way. That's just gross.

So I stood procrastinating for quite some time over the many Boss-like pieces; huge crystal rings, Egyptian inspired collars, huge copper cuffs, until I eventually decided. It might be a bit of a stretch to say it was the hardest decision of my life, but I won't lie, it was tuff (first world problem, I know).

So I walked away from the market stall satisfied and ready to rock the Boss Bohemian look. Don't worry, I was wearing shoes...and I'd totally showered that day.

No False Advirtising in Sight When It Comes to Melbourne's Big Design Market

You know what I hate more than anything (Except bad hair days and Myki)? False advertising. When something says it's going to one thing and it turns out to be completely different. I hate it when a sign claims you get 20% off but neglects to tell you this only occurs when you spend a thousand dollars, or when I'm forced to spend hours reading through fine print that's going to make me blind to ensure I'm not selling my soul when buying a new iPhone...just give me what you said you'd give me! And a 'fun sized' mars bar that's actually teeny tiny and no fun at all...what's with that?!* So, with my pet hate in mind, I approached the Big Design Market, held in Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Center in Carlton, with some trepidation. I couldn't be sure how 'big' we talking here and I didn't want to get my hopes up. Had they measured the market in hectares or acres? Was its largeness measured by certified measurers who had undergone serious training in the art of measurement? When I arrived however, my fears were forgotten as I lay my eyes upon the, indeed, 'big' market.

 There were hoards of stalls selling objects from fine furniture and jewellery to knitwear and stationary. Many of the usual suspects were there; Emily Green, Otto and Spike, Able and Game. Though I was most pleased to stumble upon many designers I'd never heard of before! Some of these included Angus&Celeste who design intricate porcelain plant hangers, a brand called Sweet William that delivers fine art (and seriously cute) prints and paper goods and fine wooden objects maker, John Quan, of the brand Mono. My absolute favies were jewellery (typical) brands Banjara Jewellery, who creates gorgeous BoHo pieces and Stannard-inc. I pretty much lost my marbles when I walked past this stall because I wanted EVERYTHING. With incredible copper, boss-as jewellery, it was pretty much impossible for me not to spend money!

The crazy and colourful Emily Green stall

Pretty as a picture prints by Sweet William

Adorable ceramic animals

My new favourite nail colours from Kester Black

So I left the Big Design Market with my bag a little heavier, my wallet a little lighter and my inner self happy at not being hoodwinked by that cursed false advertising. Look, I'm not saying that it's the size matters all that much (except when it comes to mars bars)...I just want what I was promised. Is that too much to ask?

*Terms and Conditions: After reading this blog you have agreed to destroy, for the greater good of all Melbourne-Kind, all Myki machines that you encounter. Fun Size Mars bars can, however, be left to fight another day.