King amongst Princes

I was so excited one day to see renovations start on a lovely old church down the road from where I work. I had walked past the building so many times and had thought of so many things it could be converted into - but a micro-brewery never crossed my mind...

Good George opened its doors in 2011 and have been busy ever since making the best craft beer and cider. I'm not just saying the drinks are the best because I'm so Waikato biased, it is in fact award winning, taking out trophies and medals in the recent Brewers Guild Awards.

The food at Good George is pretty great too, with the sliders, onion rings and caesar salad having become my favs. I especially like to wash my nosh down with a glass of the seriously amazing Doris Plum Cider. Don't think for one minute however, that the food or ambience of this place play second fiddle to the beverages, Good George has just been announced as a finalist in two categories by Hospitality NZ: Best Bar and Best New/Redeveloped Bar/Restaurant. The winner will be announced in September so good luck team!

I've taken a few snaps of Good George to give you an idea of the character of the place, but you need to get yourself down there to experience it for yourself! You won't be disappointed!

Long Live Good George!

Moss Flower Boutique

I love walking into Moss! It's not just the bright airy space that Moss occupies, the bunches of gorgeous flowers or the cool styling that owner Rebecca Mead pulls off effortlessly. Its the fact that another creative individual is making a living doing what they love that makes me so happy and fills me with endless hope for myself!

Seriously, if there was a corner in this gorgeous wee shop, I would convince Bex to let me have a little desk there so I could quietly work away there, this shop is such an inspiring space to be in.

Rebecca's style is so refreshing and creative, I love the arrangements she does in tall glasses, but my most my favourite products are her tea-cup posies...so cute!

I love the fact that she stocks candles by Limited Vintage - only helps make this place smell even more gorgeous.

Just look at the styling - its perfect!

This has to be one of the most gorgeous wedding bouquets - it has bunny tails in it!!!

Are these brown bottles a subtle nod to the Waikato region? 

I love the fact that this beautiful shop is also filled with artwork by local artists. You just have to visit Moss, and support our local talent! 

Moss is located at Shop 5 in the Queenwood Village on Herbert Road, Hamilton, or find Moss online at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Moss-Flower-Boutique

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Moss-Flower-Boutique

and http://www.mossflowerboutique.co.nzhttp://www.mossflowerboutique.co.nz

Little Hamilton Street Art Gem

I love little finds like this one. Some years ago I noticed this little street art gem. 

I can't believe its gone now, so glad I took these photos when I did!

I LOVE LADRO

I was first introduced to Ladro in Gertrude Street by dear friends who share the same passion for gustation as my partner and I. I love the Fitzroy area, every visit to Melbourne is never complete without a stroll up and down Gertrude, I just love to breathe in all the lovely branding that adorns the shops, it gives window shopping a whole new meaning when I'm just as excited to gaze at the exterior signage as I am to browse inside. 

So I instantly fell in love with the Ladro logo, the typeface is just so perfect...the branding effortlessly represents the Italian inspired restaurant. Have a look at their website ladro.com.au and you'll see what I mean. You feel the love when you walk into the restaurant, and I'm not just talking love of the restaurants interior which is fresh, clean and a touch industrial, its the people working at Ladro putting their love into their craft and providing a dining experience that makes you feel at home....just with better pizza. 

I'm declaring my undying love for 

Pizza for Otto

bufala, speck, anchovies, capers, basil, dressed rocket

and

Putanesca

tomato, fior di latte, parmigiano, cherry tomatoes, anchovies, capers, fresh chilli, black olives, basil

When I contacted Ladro about doing this blog, the lovely Ingrid Lantry (one half of the husband and wife team behind Ladro) emailed me back with some amazing photography of Ladro taken by Shantanu Starrick of Pixel Trade. Ladro feeds Starrick whenever he's in Melbourne - its food in return for his beautiful photography - all part of Starrick's project which aims to reintroduce the bartering system into day to day life. Starrick is travelling the world trading his services as a photographer for life's basic necessities. Find our more at Starrick's website thepixeltrade.com  or find him on Facebook to get regular updates. I love this guy!

I couldn't end this blog without telling you how Ladro give back to their community. Every Monday Ladro invites their customers to bring in a BYO bottle for a $5 donation to help those less advantaged in and around Fitzroy and Prahan. Donations are given to two charities, St Vincents Vinnies Vannies and Prahan Mission. 

I find myself constantly dreaming of Ladro opening in New Zealand, in a nation obsessed with inappropriate pizza toppings, Ladro would be such a refreshing change. Until this time, I'll be making the pilgrimage across the Tasman to get my fix... Love you long time Ladro. xx

Not all who Wandrer are lost

Wandrer is a collaboration between a Design grad and an Architect Grad. They design and make laser cut jewellery, homewears and art, and they rule! I picked myself up the cutest little pair of white pixel heart earrings recently, and have just placed an order for the black ones. I discovered Wandrer at the Auckland Art & Craft Fair, and its on my to do list to drop into their work | shop in Karangahape Road, next time I'm up in Auckland.

Comic book notebooks made from old MAD comics

Pins & Badges

Just ordered a pair of these little sweethearts, they are a steal $12 only, buy them here.

I'm in love with this exquisite hanging nest chair! It retails for $1100 including the comfy cushions and can fit two people comfortably. For orders contact the lovely folks at Wandrer.

WORK I SHOP
Shop 1
203 Karangahape Road
Auckland CBD

www.wandrer.co.nz 

www.facebook.com/wandrer.nz

I found my silver lining

Sometimes you are in a situation that feels a little bit hopeless, but then out of nowhere appears a silver lining. Last Saturday while kicking myself for not listening to my inner realist (that told me a certain expo I had signed up for was not going to be a winner) my silver lining did appear - in the form of the very multi-talented designer Shelley D. It was love at first sight when I spied her range of geometric themed necklaces - my fav is the mustard/grey snake triple chevron. (you can buy it here).

And then I spied gorgeous tanks with metallic chevrons - just gorgeous! They were on sale and I didn't grab one! Its my own fault for spending up on clothes before the market - such a mistake :(

There is a great range of clothing, jewellery and accessories for sale on Shelley's website - be sure to click the link below and browse around.

www.shelleyd.co.nz

www.shelleyd.co.nzwww.shelleyd.co.nz

Midas is king and he holds me so tight And turns me to gold in the sunlight.

I visited the Reloved Vintage store at The Gordonton Country Market this weekend and completely fell in love with this "Mother" cup and saucer set. Apart from the fact that the smell of this candle was sooo good I think I could have eaten it right then and there, I loved the simplicity of the design.

Amber from Reloved Vintage makes the most beautiful candles and other lovely must haves, and I think with Christmas coming up you should check out her range and find something just as beautiful as mine to give away.

You can drool over Amber's gorgeous range of treasures here.

© Copyright Bron Alexander 2012