Tall Timber Cafe Comes Out on Top

Looking for somewhere a bit different to tuck into your poached eggs this weekend? Fancy a little jaunt away from your trusty local? Though the prospect of catching a train, then a tram and then another tram just for some poached eggs may seem a bit ludicrous to some - particularly in Winter when the wind is so cold you feel as though the flesh is melting off your face - there are always cafes that make the extra effort worth it. Prahran cafe, Tall Timber, is one such cafe that certainly proves it pays to stray from your usual stomping ground.

Residing off bustling Chapel Street and nestled in a corner spot on Commercial Road (don't worry, I didn't know where that was either), lies this unassuming little cafe from the boys behind Station Street Trading Co and Coin Laundry. Don't be fooled by the rustic, minimalist interior, because everything here, from the food to the coffee, is done boldly. The whitewashed brick interior paired with pale wooden tables offers an open, airy space that's flooded with light from the two large shop-front windows. Grab a stool up at the window and watch the macho-men fight it out at the Brazilian Boxing shop across the street, or pull up a chair at the (possibly less entertaining) communal table, garnished with native fauna. 

The food here is a highlight, with a menu so filled with sumptuous sounding things it's almost mean to make customers choose. Putting a fresh spin on the traditional (and now somewhat boringly monotonous) smashed avo, is the pumpkin loaf with pickled beetroot salad, smashed avocado, hummus and a poached egg. There's also pumpkin bruschetta; a soft mountain of smashed pumpkin and feta on quinoa toast, topped with perfectly poached eggs and littered with micro herbs and seeds. If all this sounds a little too healthy, don't worry, because Tall Timbers got a decadent house made banana and pistachio bread with espresso marscapone and an open breakfast sanga, for those who are more heart-attack inclined.

On my visit I couldn't go past the sautéed kale, green beans and asparagus with poached eggs, dukkah and goats curd. Let me just say, this was a dish worth crossing town for. Presented beautifully, the veggies were cooked perfectly, the eggs oozed impeccably and the soft goats curd added little bursts of creamy saltiness. Absolute deliciousness. My Tall Timber teammate opted for something more lunchy and had the bastilla filled with slow-cooked lamb shoulder and caramalised onions, accompanied by a fresh and zingy cucumber and radish salad. This dish also nailed it, with flaky pastry and flavoursome, fall-apart meat. 

Don't miss the coffee here either. The Niccolo beans are roasted on site and the toasty house blend with notes of caramel works wonderfully with milk. For those who like it black, there are rotating guest blends from boutique roasters, including Market Lane and Dukes. 

Tall Timber does its very best to please with fantastic food, great coffee and attentive staff. I'd say it's definitely worth the journey...in fact, it might even become my new home away from home.

Fashion Rules Were Made to be Broken

Despite fashion's tendency to be continually merging and morphing, there always seem to be certain rules that govern what we should and shouldn't wear. You know the ones I mean: your shoes, bag and belt must always match, never wear white after Labor Day (don't even ask me where that one came from), and, perhaps most commonly, black and navy should never be worn together. Now, I don't know who made these so-called 'rules', but I feel it's high time to take a stand against such fashion fun-killers.

So, to really stick it to the haters, I came up with an ensemble that broke every single one of the above rules. Black and navy happens to be one of my very favourite combinations, especially during the colder months. It's a chic, modern combination that adds a touch of colour to an otherwise drab wintertime wardrobe...because lets face it, no matter how stylish black is no one wants to look like an emo for three months of the year. My other fashion cardinal sin is teaming a pale brown belt with my knee-high black boots - shock horror! And finally, the appearance of white, which apparently brings shame upon my outfit. Despite all these fashion 'faux pars' however, Iv'e created quite a wonderfully and effortlessly chic outfit...I do believe they call that a style hat-trick.

So break a few rules, ignore the haters and have fun with your fashion!

What I Wore
Tunic: op-shop
Skirt: Myer
Cardigan: Dotti
Boots: Lipstick
Rings: Samantha Wills, Topshop

 

Knee-Highs for Winter? Absobootly!

I'll be honest, I'm not a big fan of Winter. I hate the cold, I resent being cooped up inside when there's a whole city to explore and I detest feeling like the Michelin Man when I'm layered up in jackets. As far as I can tell, some of the only benefits of Winter are toasted sandwiches, hot cider and, on the more sartorial side of things, knee-high boots. Each year, when the wind picks up and clouds have the nerve to cover my sun, the only thing that keeps me going through the chill is the knowledge that it's time to purchase another pair of trusty knee-highs. And this year was no exception.

I relish the task of finding the perfect pair of boots to see me through the season and have a firm list of criteria to which they must adhere. They must be a) comfortable b) sturdy c) not gape around my thighs (lets be honest, no one likes gape) and d) are a price that means I don't have to sell my liver on the black market...because I'm rather attached to my liver, thank you very much.

Much to my delight I stumbled upon this perfect pair from Lipstick, which just so happen to tick all my boxes. They're super comfy, a little bit roomy (so there's space for geeky thermal socks), the perfect hight and perhaps best of all, they were on sale! I always love me some sale.

So you know what, as long as I have my new knee-high friends, then this Winter might not be so bad after all. Add a cheese toasty and warm cider and it could even be good!

Samson Girl in Sydney: The Grounds of Alexandria

Ok ok, one more post about Melbourne's rival city and then I promise I'll return to my normal Sydney-snubbing self. This Sydney cafe I feel hardly needs any introduction...in fact, I'm more inclined to call it more a Caffe 'Community' or 'Hub' of sorts, because to deem The Grounds of Alexandria a mere cafe hardly seems to do it justice.

I bravely attempted a weekend visit to my favourite Sydney hangout and, despite the huge lines and crowds of people, I was not disappointed. A friendly little farmers market greeted us, with cute stalls selling everything from delectable pastries and jewellery to caramel ice-cream sandwiches (oh yeah, you heard me right) and chocolate covered popcorn. Rather than a table in the cafe section, we wound our way through the outdoor crowds braving the cold to gorge themselves on burgers, chips and grilled meats from cheery stall vendors, and grabbed a table at the newly established Potting Shed. This section of the growing Grounds Community boasts breakfast, lunch and dinner and, though offering a different menu to its cafe-relation, the food can most definitely hold its own. With dishes of wagyu burgers, salt and pepper calamari, fresh and delicate salads and a cocktail menu that could kill, there is most definitely something to be enjoyed by everyone. And once you've eaten and drunk your fill, take a stroll through the ever-expanding space, purchase flowers from the Instagram-worthy florist, take a look at the amazing deli and do not, I repeat, do not simply walk past those ice-cream sandwiches. A trip to The Grounds of Alexandria really is my favourite way to say goodbye to Sydney.

Samson Girl in Sydney: The Rocking Rocks Market

A mere stone's throw away from Sydney's hustling and bustling CBD and nestled amongst cobblestone streets, cute cafes and bespoke craft shops, lies The Rocks Markets. Now Iv'e been to more markets in my life than Iv'e been to designer sales - and that's truly saying something - but there's something so pleasantly charming about these little markets set amid convict-carved sandstone (remind me to thank them later) that I find particularly appealing.

The Rocks Markets are open every Saturday and Sunday from 10-5 all year round, whether in rain or shine...and in my case it was unfortunately in rain. Lots of rain. But I didn't let that dampen my spirits as I wound my way through the one hundred or so eclectic stalls, offering everything from locally produced art, photography, hand-crafted furniture, fashion and accessories by aspiring designers. Despite the large crowds, there was a lovely feeling of community exuding from passionate stallholders, some of whom have been selling their wares at the market for more than 20 years. They're more than happy to offer information about their product's creation and even give you some sneaky samples...I may have taken the term 'sample' loosley when it came to the organic salted caramel chocolate. I also got a wonderful surprise when I discovered one of my favourite musicians, Patrick James, heroically busking in the rain in order to bring a little musical joy to The Rocks. I tried to be cool (something that doesn't come naturally to me), but ended up blushing like a huge loser when I got a photo with him and shook his hand. Needless to say I haven't washed my own since. Kidding...kind of.

 

 

 

If you're around Sydney and looking for a fun way to spend your weekend then I would highly recommend a little saunter through The Rocks Market. You'll find yourself delightfully surprised by the beautiful bits and bobs you stumble upon, might even be lucky enough to be serenaded by a Sydney musician and hopefully leave with a belly full of chocolate. Quite frankly The Rockd Market, well, rocks.

Samson Girl in Sydney: Fashion Blogger Market

As a full-blooded Melburnian I always thought it my sworn duty to belittle Sydney as our less hip and more-try-hard rival city, but after my short vacay in the wannabe capital, I only have positive things to report. I know, what blasphemy! Over the next few days I'll be posting about the Sydney markets, cafes, fashion and food that led me to disregard the weird one-way streets (seriously what's with that?) and over-priced public transport. Sydney, meet your newest fan.

After a flight, some people might want to unpack, look at a map and take a shower, but not me! Why would I waste time on showering WHEN THERE'S SHOPPING TO DO!? Upon arrival I hit the ground running, making my way straight to The Winery Fashion Markets in the oh-so-hip Surry Hills. Nestled in the laneway behind the Winery Bar lies a monthly market that boasts stalls from some of Sydney's most notable fashion bloggers, stylists and designers who have decided to clear their wardrobes of last seasons Sass and Bide. It's basically like having several incredibly stylish friends who have generously allowed you to raid their wardrobes, which just happen to be full of enviable international and Australian labels. 

 Making an appearance last weekend were Elle and Tash from They All Hate Us, Sara Donaldson from Harper and Harley and Carmen Hamilton of Chronicles of Her, who regularly contributes to Vogue and has worked with brands like Ksubi, Bassike and Manning Cartell. There were more fashionistas, bloggers and instagramers here then you could poke a stick at, all rummaging through the racks heaving under street labels like Talulah, ASOS and Witchery, while higher-end wares such as Camilla and Louis Vuitton also made an appearance. 

The Winery Fashion Market allows those of us who dream of becoming a successful fashion blogger to do the next best thing...raid their totally awesome wardrobe offcuts! If dreaming means I get to wear a pair of second-hand louis Vuittons, then that's fine by me!

I Scream Nails Pop-Up Bike Launch

Unless you've been living in a cave with a bunch of dudes who grunt and wear loincloths, you will have noticed that nail art has become a pretty big thing. Like, huge, actually. This global phenomenon, which began about two years ago, has grown in popularity world wide and has moved from simple designs on digits to full blown pieces of art utilising everything from glitter and studs to Swarovski crystals. Melbourne Nail Art group I Scream Nails is perhaps one of Melbourne's best known nail art companies, who regularly provide pop-up funness all over Melbourne! Two weeks ago they held a pop-up nail art fiesta complete with free ice cream and, of course, free nail art, to launch the new nail art bike which will now be cruising its way through Melbourne's streets. And if that wasn't enough, they also organised an appearance from the How Two Live girls of fashion blogging and Instagram fame. Needless to say, I was there faster than top-coat dries.

The talented and chirpy nail artists worked their magic, the How Two live twins chatted away to the crowds and girls happily slurped away on soft serves. Seriously, an afternoon with free ice cream, free manicures and special blogging guests - its no wonder nail art has become so popular...I was half expecting a unicorn to turn up!