Bright nights and sunny days

This photo was snapped on a tram ride home from Cutler & Co. last Thursday night. The L.F.s siblings gave me a rather generous gift voucher for my birthday to dine at the lush establishment, located in an old metal work factory on Gertrude St, Fitzroy. It was another dining highlight, coming very close to the Vue de monde experience (both, thanks to the decadence of my in-laws).

These foie gras & date cigars are an example of the exceptional detail and incredible flavor they serve up. Aren't they Fantastic?! Such fun and totally delicious. If you're daring and felt like whipping up a few for your next dinner party I came across a recipe by Shannon Bennett for Foie Gras Cigars over at The Chef's Pencil. They'd sure bring a bit of humor to the night and leave a much sweeter taste in your mouth than the cubans.

:::
Snippets of days past:
The L.F.'s granny, Doo, passed away on the weekend. One of a kind. A total lady, whose incredible interest and thirst, for life & those she loved, will be so dearly treasured.
On a lighter note, I took a Stand Up Paddle Board lesson on Saturday with 2 friends. It was the perfect Melbourne day. Sunshine, not a breathe of wind and oh so beautiful to view St Kilda from the water. I can't wait to get out there again soon.
Crafty Monday's are back after a 2 month hiatus ...starting today. Hooray. I eased into it with another pair of these.

xox

After another day of sorting at Doo's, in preparation for this weekends garage sale, I'm exhausted & seeing crosses. The end is in sight.....
The L.F. & I ordered this above lovely linen fabric from Spoonflower last night. We ordered the upholstery weight for a chair we're currently working on. It's such a fantastic site for fabrics as you can choose which weight fabric you require depending on the project. The prices are really reasonable plus they're all by independent designers. I'll post photos of the resurrected chair (another roadside find) once we've finished.
I'm off to put my feet up. The L.F. is cooking dinner tonight. Yippee.

Autumn clean out

Busts originally from The National Gallery Art School, which Reshid purchased on its closure in 1973 (when it became part of VCA).

Gorgeous old light and french provincial chairs.

The studio door.

We are in the process of clearing out the L.F.'s Grandmothers house. It's packed full of incredible bits and pieces from one fully explored life. Doo is an amazing lady, who at 91, is still exceptionally intrigued by life. She's interested and I must say, endlessly fascinating.
Her husband, Reshid, was a member of the 20 Melbourne Painters' Society. They traveled Europe in a caravan with a little gas cooker. Reshid setting up his easel to paint while Doo coordinated and tended to the logistics and managed their social engagements. Back in Melbourne they ran art schools and lived quite the society lifestyle.
Needless to say the studio at the back of their house is, to this day, brimming with busts, easels, palette's, fantastic old drawings and a huge stack of original artworks, artbooks, projectors, hand dyed textiles.... it's endless.
We'll be there again this Saturday sifting through the remaining contents in preparation for a mega garage sale & for the auction houses to come take a peek. Firstly, however here's a snippet for you. So much beauty in one place it's staggering.