brisbane à la mode

Best porridge in Brisbane hands down | Sourced Grocer

2014-07-27T03:09:00.000-07:00

Sourced Grocer in Teneriffe has loads of amazing breakfast dishes but I cannot go last their 5 grain porridge! It is hands down the best in Brisbane! The toppings change often (they have a seasonal approach to menu changes). Currently they are serving it with poached quinces & a crumb & Maleny cream! Simple but oh so perfect on a cool Brisbane winters morning! They also serve great coffee ( a favourite from way back ... cup coffee roasters ) !! win win!

www.sourcedgrocer.com.au

Sourced Grocer - 11 Florence St Teneriffe QLD 4005, T 07 3852 6734

I AM BACK | Let the exploration begin... again!

2014-07-24T22:44:00.001-07:00

So after a much needed hiatus from the blog due to flooding, a hectic schedule, a career and the making and raising of a baby who is now a toddler - I am officially back.

I have a massive back log to cover which is essentially a couple of years worth of must do, eat, drink and see posts that all relate to locations in and around this wonderful river city that is ... Brisneyland.

Thank you to all the visitors new and old to my blog during my hiatus!! I hope to pick up and blog on bigger and better than ever!

Stay tuned ... first up is a makeover! (ps. the makeover is a work in progress so i will add more functionality in time!)

xx

hello and farewell!

2012-01-15T19:46:00.000-08:00

hello friends!!

as most of you guys may know, last year in January (as I write this, a year to the day as a matter of a fact) my husband and I lost our home of 8 years to the 2011 Queensland floods.

long story short is that it was a very difficult year for us, but we do know that others all around us endured so much more hardship. So, yes, we were rather stressed out time after time as new challanges presented themselves, but we never felt unfortunate in any way. Plus, we had so much support from all our loved ones this last year and for that we are forever thankful.

we were also lucky enough to have the financial capacity, and strength within ourselves to make some positive choices along the way and these choices have pushed forward our plans for a new house by quite a number of years and I couldnt be more excited about that.

So, for now, I am actually here to say goodbye to the blog and to all our blogger friends and readers.

the blog has been growing very rapidly over the last few months, yet, it has been the last few months that I have been unable to actually devote any substantial time to it. Every other day i receive requests and invites to fabulous new openings, events and am given the opportunity to review all sorts of fabulous new things from new restaurants, products, and design that I just cannot find the time to attend to.

Aside the blog, I have a full time career in I.T which can be very demanding at the best of times and my role involves single handily supporting two firms of around 20 staff. However, the main reason for my lack of time at the moment is that we are right in the thick of getting our lives back on track post floods. We have only recently moved home - albeit to a very unfinished home - one that we have committed to finishing. My husband and I have started working 11 hour days, 7 days a week as a result and our time is split between our careers, and work at the house and that is about it. I am totally commited and enjoying this, as I am excited to finally be at this stage of the process, but as you can imagine that does leave us little time for much else.

We also need to get serious in 2012 and start planning out our future dreams and aspirations (again) as it was all put on hold around this time, a year ago. If anything, it did put our priorities in place, our strengths to the test, and from that we were fortunate enough to find the start of our own new, personal, positive pathway.

So a big thank you everyone that has read or supported the blog since its inception and we hope you have enjoyed keeping up to date with all of the awesome things our river city has on offer.

We hope that you all keep discovering and living local!

xx brisbane a la mode. xx

Fresh Wasabi loving

2012-01-09T22:16:00.000-08:00

For all those familiar with Wasabi - outside of Japan, you almost certainly would only know of the sorry substitute that is actually just horseradish mixed with some mustard and food colouring.

Luckily tho you dont need to travel to Japan anymore to get real fresh Wasabi!! Shima Wasabi in Tasmania is suppling restaurants with wasabi all around the place australia, and online!

Check out one of the many restaurants that feature the our real wasabi, or purchase one of their Home Packs and try some real, fresh wasabi !! YUM!

The Villager .. helping out with our January credit card blues!

2012-01-03T16:35:00.000-08:00

For the entire month of January, 7 days a week, The Villager in Brisbane City is offering 2-4-1 on Mains, Light Options and Pasta's, Lunch and Dinner! Whoopa! Check out the food menu here!

http://www.thevillager.com.au/

This is a super awesome for my husband and I - as we are kitchenless until at least the end of January! :-D Thank you! Thank you!

DIY beauty hair & nail blog lurrve!

2011-12-21T21:40:00.000-08:00

I have to share this blog - some of the most amazing diy beauty, hair and nail tips ever found all in one place!

The perfect site for this time of year when there are so many parties to attend - but not enough hair can do's!
www.thebeautydepartment.com

Honor by Giovanna Randall

2011-12-20T20:20:00.000-08:00

I have not fallen in love with a pre-fall collection so much as i have with Honor by Giovanna Randall!

There is not one single piece in the collection that i would know own & cherish & love.

(image credit: www.honestlywtf.com)

Chanel Cruise collection & the fabulous Faux Fuchsia

2011-11-29T20:33:00.000-08:00

I helped out the lovely Faux Fuchsia last night by taking a few snaps just prior to her attending the exclusive Chanel Cruise 2012 Collection.

Here she is before the show (check out that accessory bling! heart!) but make sure you check out her blog as she has posted some insider shots from the Chanel show!

http://fauxfuchsiastyle.blogspot.com/

Frock Paper Scissors Magazine Launch

2011-11-27T17:23:00.000-08:00

The 2011 Issue of Frock Paper Scissors, which is created by students of the Queensland University of Technology, launched a couple of weeks ago and what better way to celebrate than with a glamorous party!!

We heart FPS here at a la mode as they are determined to reveal Brisbane’s undeniable hidden talent, explore its intricate cultural web and delve into its eclectic fashion scene! Something we personally feel strongly about!

If you didn’t get a chance to get your hands on this year’s glossy copy of Frock Magazine then check out their online site www.frockpaperscissors.com for news, features, beauty, inspiring galleries and an insight into our favourite shopping destinations.

Here are a few snaps from the event! A big thanks to the team at Frock Paper Scissors for sharing!! xx

cities

2011-11-27T00:19:00.001-08:00

all of these were taken while wandering around some of the most beautiful cities on our travels. we are trying to pick something to have printed for our wall.

new york city

paris

nevada

san francisco

san jose del cabo

Brisbanes Frock Paper Scissors!

2011-11-18T23:02:00.000-08:00

Super excited to have received a little message in my inbox about Brisbane's very own unique fashion, culture and lifestyle magazine called Frock Paper Scissors (FPS)!

The magazine and website is published annually by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) students. And this year it is dedicated to revealing Brisbane’s undeniable hidden talent, explore its intricate cultural web and delve into its eclectic fashion scene! yaay!

Check it out friends!

Frock Paper Scissors

Cumulus Pendant

2011-11-10T16:10:00.000-08:00

So we had one last pendant light to decide on for our house and we ended up with the Cumulus Pendant by Enoki! Enoki are a South Australian design team who offer combined services of interior architecture, furniture design, graphic design and illustration. Although product design remains a strong focus of the company.

We decided on the Cumulus Pendant some time ago but because it isn't stocked in Brisbane as yet we picked it up on our trip to Melbourne a few weeks back from Kif and Katast in Prahran. AND! Since it is flat packed - it was super easy to get home!

We can't wait to see it hanging in our stairwell!!

A bullet in the form of a kiss

2011-11-09T17:46:00.000-08:00

I am so going to by this bracelet from anarchy street as seen on http://www.sincerelyjules.com/ ... right this moment - unless they don't ship to Australia :-| fingers and toes crossed!

http://www.anarchystreet.com/

image source: http://www.sincerelyjules.com/

Stokehouse is open for business!

2011-11-06T20:58:00.000-08:00

Brisbane’s newest and hottest dining destination is now open. Stokehouse, located at The Parklands, South Bank, is destined to become the restaurant of choice for foodies!

Stokehouse was developed by Frank and Sharon van Haandel, who are responsible for several world-class projects including The Prince (I love this place so much I was married there in 2009!) and the original Stokehouse which is in St. Kilda, Melbourne.

Stokehouse Brisbane upholds a high standard of quality in its food, service and atmosphere in keeping with its St. Kilda namesake and the Van Haandel Group’s dedication to excellence.

Being a lover of architecture as well, I am also quite excited that award-winning architecture and interior design firm Arkhefield created Stokehouse Brisbane! The use of dramatic, cantilevered roofs retains unimpeded views to the river and city from the dining areas and the materials palette has been kept deliberately simple and bold to reinforce the relationship between the interior design and architecture.

We just cannot wait to get there and taste this little slice of Melbourne, right here on the banks of our very own Southbank!

Stokehouse

A: Sidon Street, South Bank, QLD 4101

P: (07) 3013 0333

E: info@stokehousebrisbane.com.au

W: www.stokehouse.com.au

spring candy brights

2011-10-27T23:07:00.000-07:00

sooo want this whole outfit. it pretty much is me from top to toe - aside the candy colours - which i don't normally do as I am generally in black, white & gray .. but it is the season for colour, so why the hell not!

www.sassandbide.com

Shellac Nails!

2011-10-26T18:27:00.000-07:00

I feel absolutely naked without my nails painted and have spent so much time over the last few years keeping them 'done'. One of my pet hates is that polish, no matter how hard you try, just doesn't last more than 3 or 4 days max!

So last week I wandered past a local nail bar near my work in the Valley, called polished nails and beauty and was super excited to see that they offered Shellac Nails - for only $30!! (most other places are at least $50).

Basically shellac is a gel like polish that is applied just like a normal manicure, but it lasts FOREVER! Well.. basically lasts until you are ready to have it removed. I have had mine now for a week and they look as glossy and as 'done' as the day i walked into the salon. My nails have started growing out now - but in a week or so I might do a half moon with polish at the cuticle so I can keep them for longer!

They are absolutely the best thing ever! seriously - if you want to get a manicure, give this a go! you wont be disappointed!

And I am sure that there are a bunch of salons offering this service now, but not so many for $30!

Polished Nails and Beauty
Shop 1, 16 Chester Street, Newstead
07 3216 0686

New eats L.O.V.E

2011-10-18T23:46:00.000-07:00

So I have eaten at a bunch of new places around Brisbane of late - all worth noting, however here are my favorites to date!

1. Breakfast at The Chelsea Bistro at The Barracks

http://www.thechelsea.com.au/

All i can say... is go check the menu! and see if you can stop yourself from drooling! It really is as good as it sounds and I might even be inclined to say it was the best breakfast i have had in Brisbane for a very long time!

2. Peasant at The Barracks

http://www.peasant.com.au/

Yum Yum Yum. Spanish tapas & sangria in a very awesomely designed restaurant. Great atmosphere too!

3. Esquire on Eagle Street Brisbane City

http://www.esquire.net.au/

All you need to know about esquire is a) they do degustations (and will cater for vegetarians if you give them notice!) and b) the head chefs have worked at places with BIGger than BIG names i.e Noma which is the current #1 restaurant in the world! .. and El Bulli ... which was the #1 restaurant in the world for many years!

new eats to look forward too!

2011-10-18T21:56:00.000-07:00

I have it on good authority that the brisbane dining scene has started to boom! And will continue to boom for the next couple of months!

check this list of up and comings..! mmmmm...

Stokehouse at South Bank is due to open in November and is a sister to the famous Stokehouse Melbourne.

(image credit: www.stokehouse.com.au)

Popolo at South Bank is opening in October and serves casual Italian

Cove at South Bank is opening October and is a Champagne and oyster bar

Left Bank at South Bank will possibly open in September and serves up Modern French a la carte

Stockholm Syndrome Cafe, Sandgate Rd, Albion is our city's first Swedish restaurant and it opened in August

Harajuku Gyoza at Brunswick St, Valley is a Japanese dumpling bar opening in October

and last but not least...

Cabiria, Petrie Barracks, Paddington is an Oyster bar and has just opened!

Spring Dining!

2011-10-18T21:05:00.000-07:00

I love spring!! spring cleaning... spring shopping... and of course spring dining!

And with so many of favorite eats releasing their spring menus at the moment .. I am trying to preparing to do list of visits and dishes before this lovely season is over with!

First up..the Gazebo bar and restaurant at hotel urban in spring hill has a new sprint menu, and a new executive chef, Darren Clements so am thinking of heading in for a casual lunch .. maybe dinner.

Am thinking from the new dinner menu... theseared beef carpaccio, mushroom arancini, parmesan crisps, and garlic and balsamic

... or for lunch, the baked goats cheese, beluga lentils, olive cornichon caper cream and wild rocket or salt and pepper squid, Asian slaw, pickled cucumber and toasted sesame!

Undress Brisbane

2011-10-13T23:32:00.000-07:00

Undress Brisbane

They say -' if you don’t know where it was made, what it was made from or where it will end up – take it off! ' This is fashion cross sustainability and it's happening right here in brisbane

This one off event will kick off tomorrow night, 15th October, on the Rooftop of the Chinatown Wilson car park. It will be transformed when three catwalks of student, vintage and established practice bring sustainable design to life, all focused on raising awareness about the lifecycle of fashion garments.

Best of all .. tickets are free! All you have to do is register online. ... you may even snag a free gift bag!

Caravaggio Matt P3 & P1

2011-10-10T04:03:00.000-07:00

Sooo excited!! We just ordered two Caravaggio lights in dark and light grey from Corporate Culture in the Valley! Designed by Cecilie Manz, these new matt finishes are just so beautiful!

They were shown at Milan design week only this year and are not yet in Australia .. so even though they are going to take 4 months to arrive *sob sob* we will possibly be the first people in Queensland to get our little hands on them!

Can't wait to see them hanging above our new concrete bench top!!

We also ordered 3 Foscarini Gregg Lights for our bedroom from the UK.. and they should arrive in just a couple of weeks!

Now we just have to choose a pendant light for our stairwell and we are all done!! Things feel as though they are slowly coming together now - such a lovely feeling after such a long long year of waiting!

Abigail Ahern Style

2011-10-10T03:44:00.000-07:00

I have been in love with Abigail Aherns' stylish, quirky home for so many years now that I thought it was time I shared the love! I think this home has been published in almost every reputable magazine in publication known to man - and with good reason!

So beautiful with moody blues and greys and little pops of vivid colour!

(I want that Giant 1227 Anglepoise lamp soooo bad!! )

Etsy Purchases!

2011-10-05T23:43:00.000-07:00

A couple of new (...or old as it may be) Etsy purchases are heading my way from Germany!

My slightly twisted love for porcelain gun ceramics has morphed into a new obsession for bisque German ceramic doll heads from the 1800's!! :-\

Home!

2011-10-05T19:13:00.000-07:00

Today we crossed the last big hurdle off our list and the house is officially happening!

It is hard to believe that it was 9 months ago that the floods took our home but we are finally moving forward as two weeks ago construction started! yipppeee.

We decided to make a positive out of a what was otherwise a devastating event and engaged reddog architects to design what is essentially an entirely new house (we are still keeping the shell and floors of the original 1930's structure however). It is going to be a big change and really is designed for us to live in and enjoy for another 5, 10 or 20 years - whatever it may be! The lower level will be 'flood proof' as such and is built out of robust materials that will withstand water! The upper level will of course be raised to above the current flood level - so we are giving an old house, new life and we hope that it will still be there in another 80 years time.

We didn't quite expect to be making such a big change this year, but we are more than excited about seeing the house completed. It is going to be worth every cent we have personally had to put into it to make it happen. I can't say that we would go through the floods or such an emotionally draining and difficult year again for the house, but we have certainly done our best at making the most of a bad situation. And Reddog have been awesome!! Couldn't recommend them more highly!

Now we can finally relax and enjoy the build process and hopefully be home in 2 months - with a completion date of end of January! Bring it On!

http://www.reddogarchitects.com/

NA House! (these are the original concept drawings so during the design process/detailed drawings it did change a little but it is essentially the same, just better :) ! and a little more 'us' in terms of the colours and finishes)

Miranda Skoczek & Kate Tucker Exhibition

2011-09-29T20:07:00.000-07:00

I am sooo looking forward to seeing the works of Miranda Skoczek & Kate Tucker at the Edwina Corlette Gallery !!

The exhibition runs until 15th of October.

Open from Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm

or at other times by appointment.

555 Brunswick Street

New Farm | Queensland 4005 | Australia

Images borrowed from Edwina Corlette Gallery

Miranda Skoczek

Kate Tucker