Moving Notice!

The Turquoise Notebook is moving!  Over to my own URL so that all photography content can be managed on the same site.

www.donnavercoe.com/notebook/

Tessuti Fabrics

Tessuti Fabrics

110 Commonwealth St, Surry Hills

(Other locations as well)

The small window front belies the plethora of fabrics inside waiting to be discovered.  All the fabrics you see in clothing stores and wonder where you could buy them to make your own garments!?  You will find them here.  Printed chiffons for summer caftans, brocaded suiting for autumn outfits... any project imaginable and you will find the fabric here.  There is also a large selection of buttons and trim for your sewing and crafting projects.  Again, if you cannot make it into the store, you can always buy online... http://www.tessuti.com.au/

Morris & Sons

Morris and sons exterior

Morris and Sons, 50 York Street, Sydney

Not sure how Morris and his sons got into knitting and needlecraft, but there you go!  The entrance off York St leads into the needlework area, but the magic is in the basement!  Wooden cubbyholes laden with balls of wool of all colors and textures.  Oh the projects!  Must focus on one thing at a time though... one ball of wool to finish up a project that I can hopefully feature here soon.  (Providing I finish it!)  Not just a stop off for all your needlepoint and knitting needs, there is also a haberdashery section as well. In typical style, I forgot to buy much needed bobbins for my sewing machine.  Oh well, I am always looking for an excuse to go back!

If you can't make it to the York Street location, you can shop online as well.

http://www.morrisandsons.com.au/catalog/main.php

Side note: the basement exits onto a laneway leading to George St.  Apparently there's a little restaurant near there, Grasshopper, which serves ridiculously good food.  Another reason to go back... if I needed one more excuse!

Opera Kitchen

Opera Bar and Opera Kitchen in the foreground

Miss Chu rice paper roll and steamed veggie bun / Looking down on the Opera Kitchen

Between the two sets of sails / Detailed tile finish of the sails

More tile finish close ups / Reflection of the Royal Botanic Gardens

Black and white portraits covering a construction fence at the Opera House / Thousands of different colored tiles

Opera Kitchen

Long a fan of having a latte at the Opera Bar, with the spectacular view of the Opera House, Circular Quay and the Harbour Bridge... it was neat to discover that there is now a kiosk just down from it.  No ordinary kiosk... Kenji, Cloudy Bay, Miss Chu, Becasse Bakery, Charlie and Co. is the going fare here.  Well priced food, in what just might be the best view in the world.  Everyone wins!

You are well positioned to work off lunch, seeing as you are positioned just under the Opera House.  Pose for photos on the stairs, or in the forecourt between the sails, or with the Harbour Bridge in the background.  You can study the the exterior shells from this area... and realize that that there are thousands of small tiles in varying shades of white and cream that make up the white sails of the Opera House. 

www.operakitchen.com.au

Toasties

Toasties

I am now an open-face toastie convert with the switch over to Tasmanian Camembert.  I usually have closed-face toasties as per Bill Granger... tomatoes soaked in garlic and olive oil... then pile on bread with cheese, basil, cover with another piece of bread and toast both sides in butter in a fry pan.  This method is slighly easier.  It used to be made with cheddar cheese... but the cheese ended up sweaty, and gritty in texture... bringing back bad memories of cheese sandwiches in a lunchbox!  (I've always been a food snob!)  Since switching to the melt-y Camembert, I've not looked back! 

Method is: toast bread... on a cast iron grill makes the bread especially tasty.  While it's toasting, slice Camembert, tomatoes and shred basil.  Removing toast, brush bread with olive oil and work in with a garlic clove sliced in half (cut side down to infuse the flavor!).  Add cheese, and put back on grill.  (Ensure grill is turned off... you want to melt the cheese in the residual heat.)  Once cheese is melted slightly, add tomatoes, basil, then sprinkle with a touch of extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.  Lunch... yum!

Urban Rituelle

Urban Rituelle

I had discovered these vegetable soaps on a previous trip to Australia.  Having moved here, I hadn't been able to find them for a while, when one day I happened upon them in Holy Sheet in Balmain.  A quick look on the website reveals that they are now available in Myer.  Oh well... I know where to stock up next time around.

The above colors don't really go together, but they are my favorite ones... Vanilla Bean, Raspberry Spritzer and Passionfruit.  Their scent is divine and leaves your skin feeling very soft.  Available in other countries besides Australia and New Zealand... check the website for stockists.

www.urbanrituelle.com.au

Peter's of Kensington

Peter's of Kensington exterior... it's pretty pink!

A love seat to go with the pink branding!

Front car seat turned mini photo studio

Cupcake holders purchased at PoK

Peter's of Kensington

I was looking forward to checking out the Peter's of Kensington store, as their website has great products at discounted prices.  I was not prepared for the pink-ness of the building!  For someone who's favorite color is pink, this was too much even for me... haha!  For the clean shopping on the website, I was also not prepared for the very strange layout of the store.  It seems to be they have taken over a building and a half!  Product is stuffed into every nook and cranny... perfume on the first floor, china and glassware stuck into a mezzanine, bakeware and homewares piled into the attic.  Having said this... it is a great place to wander through and discover all sorts of treasures!  They have the Gordon Ramsay Maze collection at half price, Riedel glassware also discounted.  My favorite is the homeware section on the top floor... everything imaginable for cooking and baking, all at reduced prices.  What's not to love!?  I love my Robert Gordon ceramic espresso shot glasses that are designed to look like paper cups!
If you can't make it to the store, shop online... their shipping prices are very reasonable.

57 Anzac Parade,
Kensington NSW
www.petersofkensington.com.au

Cockatoo Island

Entrance to Cockatoo Island / Camping facilities on the island

Crazy wall mural on an outbuilding / Island Bar complete with reggae music and Astro turf!

Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island is rich in history, having been a convict prison, and then a ship building yard for the Royal Austalian Navy.  Cockatoo Island is now a destination for those looking for an escape from the every day.  There's the Island Bar, complete with Astro turf and steel drum music.  Order one of their pizzas made in a special oven in one of the converted shipping containers doubling as a kitchen, and enjoy under a market umbrella with a view of that stunning harbour.  There is plenty to explore and discover on the island.  If you want to stay and absorb the history of the place, the island is home to the world's first urban campground... "glamping", if you will!

Chowder Bay

 

Pull up a chair / Chowder Bay

 

View through the fence / More chairs lined up

 

Bacino Cafe Chowder Bay

More deck chairs / Sign in Bacino Cafe

Chowder Bay

Google Maps + iPhone has been a lifesaver for finding my way around my new hometown.  And for finding great new spots!  Sitting in Bacino in Mosman and checking the map to see where I was, I noted that Clifton Gardens was just down the hill.  Having been there years ago, I thought to drive down the hill to take a look.

More research revealed that the bay was called Chowder Bay... a spot my friends had spoken highly of.  Entering the park, I clued in as to why.  Relatively secluded, there are spots for picnicking, and an enclosed playground for kids.  (Am informed by my mom friends that this is a very good thing!) 

Clifton Gardens and Chowder Bay are part of Headland Park that stretches from Chowder Bay around to Balmoral Beach.  Indeed, there is a 1.5km / 60 minute walk along the headland between the two bays.  Headland Park is a decommissioned military base, now turned into a park full of interesting history and architecture.  Diving in the bay is available, if that is your thing. It is also home to Ripples dining, and another Bacino cafe... imagine that!  You can relax on the red and white striped deck chairs and enjoy a coffee... or an icy treat.  It is the perfect way to while away a Saturday afternoon.

Headland Park... www.harbourtrust.com.au
Snorkeling and Diving: www.plungediving.com.au