A truly beautiful Minxy mix of charm, inspiration, practical advice, and pretty projects to simplify and beautify your life and home. - Jane Brocket, The Gentle Art of Domesticity
Dolly Up
Do Dolly Up, love
Wool dress by Prue Acton in her prime
On the topic of hot vintage finds, I must mention Dolly Up on Cleveland St. Owner Erin Paige Hutchings is a dear, and has a great eye in particular for fab seventies pieces, stocking a load of cheesecloth kaftans and natural cotton and silk pieces in addition to the more commonly found polyester.
Her store’s been there for six years and offers an alterations service on ill-fitting items if you’ve no patience for popping in new zips, hemlines, etc. yourself (the sewing expertise comes from Erin’s beloved Gran – they make a great team). Erin also offers personal styling on the side… we came to the mutual conclusion that I must leave with a collectible Prue Acton frock today. Highly addictive.
Dolly Up
361 Cleveland St, Surry Hills
Tues-Fri 1pm-6pm, Sat 10.30am-5.30pm
Tel: 9699 8181
A fragile, fleeting thing?
Recent family picnic = happiness in an instant
After a period of illness I still haven’t fully recovered from, and the health issues of a few friends of ours, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the nature of happiness and our expectation of it.
Sickness always makes me realise afresh how being well and in good health is such a primary tenet of feeling happy overall. But then I read Cathrin Schaer’s thoughtful, fascinating article in the new issue of Vogue (November), Happiness Overrated, which reminded me that happiness is not a basic human right – much as we like to think it is. It’s something you have to work at, and hard (sometimes). Plus, what’s so wrong with feeling blue? It’s often the best catalyst for change, in my experience.
It made me think, what makes me happy? My family. My home. Writing, crafting and being creative. And sharing meaningful relationships with friends – quality time. Yes, that’s about it… all those things which give a life purpose. And feeling good & strong enough to take on the various challenges we’re all sent. Who could ask for anything more, really?
Sydney Antique Centre
1920s painting from Lou Murray Vintage, Sydney Antique Centre
You know when you find somewhere so darned fabulous for sourcing unusual items, you almost don’t want to go on about it, lest it become overrun and you’re no longer able to find the things you love? I’m usually more than happy to share, but confess I almost felt that way when visiting the Sydney Antique Centre recently.
This is, hands down, the best spot to pick up a fab vintage find in Sydney. It’s not a steal, because items have been edited down to a truly special collection, but the prices are reasonable and all the stalls together create a seriously fun browsing experience. It reminds me of other fave vintage dens – the Chapel St Bazaar in Melbourne, and Victory Theatre in the Blue Mountains’ Blackheath – all places I can find myself lost for hours in.
Coco Repose and Empire 47 are two top-notch vintage clothing stalls to make a beeline for. There’s also ample finds for blokes – this is the place to source a gift you won’t find anywhere else (and some things to treasure yourself, while you’re at it).
Sydney Antique Centre
531 South Dowling Street Surry Hills
NSW 2010 Australia
Tel: (02) 9361 3244