The Local Lust List: what we love in July

Posted on 4 July, 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…

Pratten Open Tote Bag

While they’re not Canberra-made, you can buy this gorgeous Pratten Open Tote ($99) from local boutique, White Apple Gifts in Yarralumla. The collection is gorgeous, offering unexpected twists of coloured and patterned linings and hidden pockets. Just quietly, I have this tote in apple green and I get comments wherever I go. Maybe I need an orange one, too…

Pialligo Farm Bacon

Recently taking out the title of Australia’s Best Artisan Bacon, Pialligo Estate’s dry-cured bacon is totally delicious, cooking beautifully to make the must-have crisp rasher that seemed a thing of the past until recently. It’s great for warm salads, diced as a garnish, cooked in strips for pasta dishes, made into bacon rolls to accompany poultry or for nibbles with drinks, or as a garnish – anywhere where bacon is called for. In Canberra, Pialligo Estate bacon is delivered weekly to IGA supermarkets in Campbell and Ainslie, Deli Planet at the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, TwentyOne Café and Grocer at Nishi, More than Meat butchery at Westfield in Belconnen, and Essential Ingredient in Kingston. And you can enjoy it at Lonsdale Street Roasters, 38 Espresso in Kingston, and Penny University in Kingston.

Lips by You lip balm

Local business Lips by Tanja allows you to customise your own lip balm ($9.50) online and pick exactly what you want in it, from butters to oils and flavours. There’s complete transparency around what you are putting on your skin and you don’t have to worry about any nasty additives. Best of all, it’s your own unique creation! My personal favourite is chocolate and orange (yum!)

Buy Lips by Tanja’s products (Lip & Cheek, and Lip & Skin Balms) online, or find them in Mussen Women’s Clothing Boutique in the city. HerCanberra readers can get free shipping by using the code‘HerLips’ at www.lipsbytanja.com.

Corr Blimey’s ‘Strasse jeans’

Corr Blimey’s ‘Strasse jeans’ (German for ‘street’) are both locally designed and locally made out of a special, raw and long-lasting denim sourced in Australia. They’ll be initially released as a limited edition in black with a unique gasoline-coloured interior (very stylish when the jeans are folded up at the bottom to form a cute cuff). Email Corr.Blimey.Fashion@gmail.com if you’re keen to know more!

The Cheese Project

Local cheesemaker Maureen House has recently launched The Cheese Project – a range of fresh cows milk cheeses and products. Currently, you can get your hands (and mouth) on Crème Fraiche, Fresh White Cheese (Fromage Blanc/Frais style), Fresh Cheddar Curds (aka Canadian Squeaky Cheese), a fresh Primo Sale and Cultured Butter. Find out more here.

Want to taste really fresh cheese for yourself? The Cheese Project is at the Southside Farmers Markets Woden on Sundays, and available from The Essential Ingredient, Kingston.

Alecto ring by Percival Luto

The Alecto Ring by Canberra designers Percival Luto is a unique design and a well crafted product. Available in gold-plated brass ($140) or sterling silver ($240), it is a comfortable, one-of-a-kind piece that matches anything. Pick it up from Bonty – a Canberra-based online jewellery store that provides a platform for independent designers to sell their wares.

Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil

Created by Canberra company, Little Bairn, this Certified Organic Rose Hip Oil ($12.95) is rich in vitamins and fatty acids, and helps to regenerate and repair damaged skin. It is also highly moisturising, making it ideal for easing sensitive skin conditions such as eczema. Developed in consultation with an aromatherapist and midwife, the Little Bairn range is based on gentle and simple formulations – you won’t find any lengthy ingredient lists or ingredients you can’t pronounce. All products promise to be free from any nasties including artificial fragrances, mineral oil, propylene glycol, petrochemicals, phthalates, sulfates, parabens and other synthetic preservatives. Buy the natural skincare products from Shop Handmade and online at littlebairn.com.au

Little Monster Chocolate

Every element of this gorgeous chocolate is made by hand – it’s hand tempered on a big white marble slab in chocolatier, Clayton Smith’s workspace, and even hand-wrapped in thick colourful foil. An ex-Art Director, Clayton designed the branding and boxes himself, which feature quirky little questions about ‘collective animal nouns’ (you’ll find the answer stamped on the chocolate slabs themselves). Available in four varieties: Milk, Dark, Coconut and Hazelnut you’ll find Little Monster at various outlets around town, including The Chifley Grocer, TwentyOne Cafe & Groceries at New Acton, and Farmer’s Daughter in Yarralumla and the city. Expect to pay around $7 per block.

Open Chain Necklace by Alison Jackson

So, a confession. I own one of these beauties and wear it pretty much with every outfit I wear. The Open Chain Necklace is designed to easily go from day to night, either dressing up your favourite Sunday tee shirt or with an elegant dress on a night out! A lightweight and elegantly classic necklace, it is handmade by Alison in her Queanbyean studio in sterling silver. Available in a satin silver finish, oxidised (black) silver (both $189) or gold plated silver ($230). Make it yours at Fivefold Studio, Portrait Gallery Store, or direct from Alison at www.alisonjackson.com.au

Kid’s Table Lamp

This beautifully decorated lamp ($99) is the perfect decoration for a child’s bedroom. It has a stunning soft coloured scene of a child at play on a swing in the forest, and when it’s lit, it just softly glows. So, so lovely and as unusual as it is stunning!

It’s printed fabric on PVC with a white metal base and measures 41cm tall with a 20cm shade diameter. Find it at White Apple Gifts in Yarralumla.

Want YOUR product to feature in our Local Lust List? Email hello@hercanberra.com.au for details…