jewellery tree stand

I don't know about you but I struggle to find ways to display my jewellery collection in a tasteful and stylish way. I obviously want to avoid storing them away in boxes in case I completely forget I own them and never wear them. Plus, so many pieces are miniature works of art that deserve being displayed and admired when they're not being worn.

This beautiful jewellery tree by Scandanavian designer Louise Christ is made of mirror-finished aluminium and satisfies both my need for practicality as well as being a modern and sophisticated piece of art that can stand on its own..on second thoughts, it's probably more beautiful than my complete jewellery collection. Having just celebrated Christmas, this sculpture could even double as a modern version of a Christmas tree.

Sometimes Hallmark Just Doesn't Cut It

I rarely send people birthday message and christmas greetings. They all feel like mass-produced tokens of insincere sentiment or like myself, you end up scanning through the generic message on auto-pilot. I would prefer to randomly send out (and receive) greetings about zombie attacks or man-crushes going awkward. If this sounds like your sense of humour, check out wrongcards.com for all your not-quite-right messages for every occasion.

-charli

lovin' that banana bread

It was perfect breakfast weather on sunday - warm and sunny, relaxed and carefree (not really when you're on nightshifts but I digress...)

A little bird had told me of a new eatery to try within proximity of my own suburb and with much delight we set out to try Porgie

and Mr Jones. Upon entering, we were immediately greeted by a smiling waitress who offered us a seat outside in their back courtyard to enjoy the happy weather. The venue has a deceptively large seating capacity - as we realised when we were given a tour of the premises, walking from the already buzzing front room, with its tidy warehouse interior and communal seating area, through the cozy and well lit middle dining area

with its softer furnishings, through the kitchen busy with chefs and bubbling pots and pans and finally outside to their pebble stone courtyard. Wow.

The menu has a nice selection of breakfast and lunch items on offer. Many items have an injection of middle eastern flavours and hence we tried the poached eggs with dukkah and spinash on multigrain toast and I just could not go pass trying their banana bread toast with mascarpone, blueberries and pistachios. Both arrived promptly and were fresh and delicious. The banana bread was unique and stand alone from the offerings of Liar Liar and associate cafe Apte with the nice addition of chunky slices of banana served between the toasted banana bread. Furthermore, there wasn't the overwhelming presence of coconut in their bread which I can tolerate but would prefer to not eat if I can! So it's a winner with me. Their coffees were excellent quality and they have a chai latte on offer that I just didn't have the chance to try this visit.

I have given the place the thumbs up! There are plenty more items on the menu I need to return to try such as the smashed avocado with mushrooms on toast and of course I must try the muesli, it's such a staple comfort food for me. However, knowing me, I will also be just as likely to return and head straight for the banana bread again...and if this was the case, I would not be disappointed either.

Porgie and Mr Jones - 291 Auburn Road, Hawthorn 3122

Kay