The Local Lust List: what we love in August

Posted on 25 August, 2014

We love supporting local businesses here at HerCanberra. From the small independents to the larger centres which employ a multitude of Canberrans, every dollar that you spend locally helps our economy.

We see so many ‘must have’ lists that are choc full of items from overseas companies or interstate online retailers, so we have set out to create a regular ‘local’ lust list…the things that we love that you can find in your own backyard. Rather than clicking to buy, get out and discover the amazing things that our city has to offer.

This is what we’re lusting after this month…

Tea Tree & Lemongrass Cleansing Bar

If you have unpredictable skin, like I do, an organic cleansing bar from Body n Soap Australia might be just the ticket.  You can find their gorgeous little shop on the main street in Bungendore where they handcraft natural and organic soap and skincare. I love that there are no nasties in their products that smell divine and do wonders for the complexion. The Tea Tree & Lemongrass Cleansing Bar I picked up is brightening my sensitive winter skin and at $5 a pop, they are so reasonably priced.

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Schmooks Beluga Gumballs Storytale jewellery

I first came across these whimsical jewels from Schmooks a few years ago and loved them so much I stocked them in my boutique. This adorable pendant ($64.74) is a piece of art in itself. I can’t resist those  chubby little whales! I have gifted these to both adults and children though I’m not sure who was more excited! Canberra girl, Claire Cimbora invites us into her enchanting world with her handmade creations, inspired by storybooks and fairytales that evoke the child within. Fellow HerCanberra writer, Michelle Brotohusodo loved these pendants so much, she bought two!

Shop online in the Etsy store or make a visit to Shop Handmade, City Walk, 20 Allara St, Civic.

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Sweet Alma Toffee

Emma makes her toffees using her Grandma Alma’s traditional Scottish toffee recipe that’s been handed down over five generations. Sweet and buttery yet with a subtle tang, her toffees are made from all-natural ingredients and have no artificial colours or flavours. They are absolutely scrumptious! 

You can buy Original, Macadamia or Roast Almond varieties from www.SweetAlma.etsy.com or catch Emma at the Old Bus Depot Markets this Sunday 31 August!

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Aiyanna Leather Handbag

This gorgeous little number just screams spring. The colour, the tassels, the leather…oh my! As well as being ridiculously on-trend, this piece is also practical—being large enough to carry around half your life and made of soft, durable leather. Retailing at $320, this bag is part of the gorgeous Jade Stone collection by Canberra designer, Jade le Flay-Schrooder. All of Jade’s bags are 100% leather including her exquisite clutches and purses with stunning embellished beading details.

You can find the divine range at Mussen Boutique, 17 Mort St, Canberra City and if you mention this article, you will receive 15% off any Jade Stone bag! I know where I am heading this weekend…

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Shanghai Suzy Lipstick

While this brand isn’t made locally, it is stocked by independent local women’s clothing boutique Mussen and is just too dang fabulous not to mention!

If you want to buy a high-quality lippie in the colour-of-the-moment but don’t want to break the bank then this lippie is for you. Delivering in terms of pigment, formula, colour and packaging – AND at only $12.95 each,  this lipstick range is perfectly ‘cheap and chic’. With a new on-trend range delivered every season, each colour is a limited edition…Oh and they smell like grape bubblegum! Shanghai Suzy lipsticks are not tested on animals and contain no animal-derived ingredients. Props to them. Get down to Mussen Boutique ASAP to snag one.

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Amethyst and turquoise necklace

Canberra jewellery label WINK has a piece for every personality. The dainty jewels are the perfect accompaniment to any outfit, without overwhelming it. I am rather enamoured with this amethyst necklace (it’s my birth-stone so can’t resist at $59!) The rest of the range is utterly divine too with semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls and nickel-free gold and silver bands. These pieces are chic, affordable and oh-so-pretty.  They also come packaged in a sweet little tin for gift giving, that is, if you can dare part with them.

Buy online or shop in-store at Bodhi Leaf, The Lawns, Manuka.

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‘I need Glasses’ Apron

I just adore this 100% cotton apron ($29.95) for wine connoisseurs with a sense of humour, (sounds like pretty much everyone I know). Perfect for the woman who has everything!

You can find this quirky piece at White Apple Fine Gifts. They offer a highly unique and diverse range of giftware that is unique to Canberra, both online and from their sweet store at the Yarralumla shops. They source most of their products from small, independent Australian Designers and Australian made brands.

Find them at Shop 2/29 Bentham Street Yarralumla or online.

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Invitations by Melita

This one is for the brides and grooms-to-be out there! Invitations by Melita is a Canberra company providing handmade wedding invitations in Canberra. If you’re a fan of DIY, you will love that Melita lets you take a hands-on approach to personalising your invitations just the way you want.  With invitations priced from $2.10 each, Melita will teach you how to DIY your invitations at no additional charge! But if you’re seeking a little more assistance , Melita can take care of the printing for you or provide a full service where she’ll take care of everything!

Pop in for a visit at Shop 6, 49 Townsville Street, Fyshwick. Best to give her a call on 02 6280 6241 as Melita works by appointment only Tuesday to Friday, or drop in on a Saturday morning, no appointment required.

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Adjustable Bed from Sleep Doctor

Once solely reserved for the older, less mobile or infirm, Adjustable Beds are now cool…and for a very practical reason. So many of us now use our smartphones or iPads in bed – to read, to surf the web, to play games – and there are better ways to be comfortable than reaching for piles of cushions!

Sleep Doctor in Fyshwick has a range of Adjustable Beds – even a ‘King Split’ that means that you can be checking your messages while your partner snoozes. Love it! Check out their catalogue online.

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Capital Punishment Hot Sauce

Some like it hot…and with these handmade hot sauces, the name – Capital Punishment – says it all! Handmade in Canberra, these spicy little numbers have no artificial flavours, colours, extracts or preservatives. The sauces come in three varieties:

Lethal Injection sauce is made from Naga Bhut Jolokia, AKA “Ghost” peppers; Hangman’s Habanero hot sauce combines roasted super-hot Habanero and Jalapeño Peppers with peach and lime; and Burnin’ Bird’s Eye sauce combines the best of Asian flavours, with fresh Australian mango, chilli peppers, vinegar and lime.

They retail for $10 per bottle – grab some online or visit Shop Handmade, City Walk, 20 Allara St, Civic.

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 Got something you’ve seen locally and love? Or even produce or stock it yourself? Drop us a line at hello@hercanberra.com.au